DAVID May believes Andy Cole could be the catalyst that cements Burnley in the Championship play-offs.

Cole last night followed in the footsteps of his former Manchester United team-mate by joining the Clarets on loan until the end of the season.

And May, who captained Burnley for the 2003/04 campaign, has backed the 36-year-old striker to eclipse the impact Ian Wright had in securing promotion from the old Second Division in 2000 and help mount a Premier League push.

"Coley's on the brink of possibly doing something really big for Burnley," said May, who played alongside the ex-England striker for six years at Old Trafford and was part of the 1999 treble winning squad.

"He near enough guarantees you goals. Wherever he has been he always scores goals.

"You can't argue with what he has done throughout his career, and personally I think he's got plenty more to offer.

"It's great for Burnley to sign someone like that.

"He's not getting any younger, but he's a fit lad and looks after himself and I think with age you become better.

"As a defender, a lack of pace can catch you out, but it's more in your head as a forward and Andy's always known where the goal is.

"It doesn't matter where he comes from, as long as he is scoring goals the fans won't care about anything else.

"I'm sure Coley will score 60 per cent of the chances he gets. He has done it all his life and I've played with him long enough to know that.

"It's a big coup for Burnley. The pressure will be on him but wherever he's been he's always had pressure on him."

And May believes Clarets leading scorer Robbie Blake could provide the perfect foil for former Newcastle, Fulham and Blackburn Rovers striker Cole, who is the second highest scorer in the history of the Premier League.

"I've played with Robbie Blake there as well, and I think a Coley and Robbie Blake partnership up there will create chances and they will score goals," he said.

"I watched Burnley against Arsenal and they did fantastically well. They do play football.

"Since I've left, I've always looked for their results and I'm pleased for where they are. What I've seen and read in the papers I think they have a great chance this season.

"I think in the Championship, if you get three or four games on the bounce where you can get a bit of momentum, you can move up and press for automatic or play-off spots, and there's no reason why Burnley shouldn't be doing that.

"They are good enough, and if they get one or two more players, that will only help."