BURNLEY striker Jason Gilchrist has joined Accrington Stanley on a youth loan until the end of the season.

He will be re-united with former Clarets youth team strike partner Shay McCartan, with whom he shared the golden boot in the 2011/12 Youth Alliance League.

The 20-year-old has yet to make his full debut for Sean Dyche's side and the move to the Store First Stadium to link up with John Coleman's side will give him a first taste of competitive Football League action.

“The manager rang me up and said there was an opportunity for me to go to a League Two side on loan," the former Manchester City trainee explained.

"I’m relishing the opportunity to play for Accrington. I can’t wait to get a few games in, hopefully get some goals and get some points on the board.

“It’s probably the closest club to Burnley so that’s good for me. Hopefully it’ll be easy for Burnley to keep an eye on my progress and I’m living in Burnley so that’s easy for me too. It’s a good move.

“I’ve gone to score goals. The manager here is a former striker so any advice he gives me I’ll be taking on board as I know it’ll be good advice.”

Stanley manager Coleman is looking forward to working with Gilchrist, who scored the only goal of the game in the pre-season meeting between the neighbours back in August.

“He’s scored goals at junior levels and he’s just desperate now for a chance to do it in the Football League,” said Coleman. “Hopefully we can provide him with that opportunity. It’s a chance for him to get his career started at this level. I know he scored here in pre-season so we’ve already had a glimpse of what he can do.

“This is a great example of the advantages of being so close to a Premier League team. We’ve got a good relationship with Burnley and Sean Dyche has been great. It’s a chance for them to send a young player out to get first team experience and we hope he can have an impact.”

Gilchrist has been given squad number 18 and is set to be available for tomorrow's game against Portsmouth.