Burnley youngster McCartan joins Hyde on loan

McCartan moves to Ewen Fields to gain further first-team experience with the Blue Square Premier club.

The 18-year-old has made one senior appearance for the Clarets, as a substitute at Doncaster last April, after scoring prolifically at youth-team level.

McCartan, who joined Burnley from Glenavon in 2010, netted 23 times for Terry Pashley’s side last season - including FA Youth Cup goals against West Bromwich Albion and Fulham - to earn a professional contract.

The Northern Ireland under-19 international should now get the chance to play first-team football with Hyde as the Tigers look to pull clear of the Blue Square Premier relegation places.

The Tameside club, managed by former Oldham defender Scott McNiven, is scheduled to play eight league games before McCartan’s initial deal expires on 2 March.

McCartan joins Clarets’ winger George Porter out on loan and could be followed by more of the club’s young prospects as manager Sean Dyche looks to give first-team exposure to as many of them as possible to aid their development.

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