Loan star Tom Cowan is an instant hit with Cambridge United fans but he has warned us not to assume that the move will be made permanent.

The Burnley left-back joined in time to make an immediate and excellent debut in place of the injured Clive Wilson at Bury last week, and followed up with a man of the match performance against Millwall on Saturday, but the 30-year-old has stressed that he is not ready to drop down to Division Three in search of first team football.

The Scot told the Cambridge Evening News, "It's a chance for me to get myself seen, and for Roy McFarland to have a look at me. I'm not ruling anything out, apart from not wanting to play in the bottom division. I reckon I have a few better years in me than that.

"I know Roy McFarland's been interested in me. He tried to sign me when I was with Huddersfield, but Cambridge were in Division Three then so it didn't appeal."

A tough-tackler who is surprisingly good in the air and possesses the added weapon of a very long throw, Cowan left Huddersfield last March for Burnley and according to their fans was highly instrumental in helping the Lancashire club avoid the drop to Division Three. Now he has joined Cambridge - at least until the transfer deadline at the end of his month's loan - to help in a similar battle.

"The move was as much a surprise for me as anybody," he explained. "Stan Ternent at Burnley had just said he wasn't prepared to let me go out on loan, although there wasn't a place there for me next season. When I went to Burnley from Huddersfield last last season they were fourth from bottom, and we went on an 11-match unbeaten run, so I was disappointed when I wasn't offered more than a year.

"For some reason I haven't been used that many times this season, but you stick at it, and me being the professional I am, I just keep going. I've been with good clubs, and I'm a fit lad anyway."

Looking back on his winning debut at Bury last Tuesday he added, "I was impressed by the team. We had to dig in at times, but created a lot of chances, although we didn't take many, and could have won by four or five. I've come in to cover for Willo (Clive Wilson), so I don't know what's in the future. But I'll do my job to the best of my ability, give 110 per cent and we'll just have to see what happens."