Keen observers at Reserve and Academy level may remember his debut for United's second string, coming on as a second-half substitute in the defeat to Wigan.

An energetic figure who brings a bit of steel to the midfield, he can also play at full-back but his aggression was often required in a more advanced position.

After racking up 18 starts and two substitute appearances in 2011/2012, he will be looking to make his mark at Reserves level. The tenacious tackler featured in the Lancashire Senior Cup semi-final against Blackpool at Moss Lane and showed admirable confidence by cheekily chipping his penalty in the shoot-out over Mark Halstead.