Ex-Burnley man Dean Marney thanked Aston Villa for helping him get fit before Fleetwood Town switch

The 34-year-old spent eight years at Burnley but he has been on the sidelines for the last 18 months following a knee injury sustained while featuring for the Clarets against Arsenal.

After being released by Burnley the midfielder has been working on his fitness at Villa and had reportedly caught the eye of Nottingham Forest before making the switch to Town.

Marney, who is set to make his debut at Chorley in Town’s pre-season friendly tonight, hopes he has proved he is fit enough to be in contention for a starting spot for Saturday’s League One opener against AFC Wimbledon.

He said: “I have had a bit longer on my own this pre-season and luckily enough for me, Steve Bruce at Aston Villa gave me the opportunity to get fit and train with the first team.

“That has helped me get fit and ready for when I signed for a club so now I will look to get minutes under my belt against Chorley on Monday and hopefully prove my fitness and just go on from there.”

Marney won promotion to the Premier League with Barton at Burnley and the prospect of working together again perusaded him to join Town.

He said: “The deal came about through Joey.

“He is someone I played with at Burnley. He is a player and a person I have great respect for, and having spoken with him throughout the summer, I know this is the place for me.”

On a busy day at Highbury Town also named their new squad numbers for the season ahead which are as follows: 1 Alex Cairns, 2 Lewie Coyle, 3 Eddie Clarke, 4 Jason Holt, 5 Ashley Eastham, 6 Tommy Spurr, 7 Wes Burns, 8 Kyle Dempsey, 9 Ched Evans, 10 Conor McAleny, 11 Bobby Grant, 12 Cian Bolger. 13 Joe Maguire, 14 Chris Long, 17 Paddy Madden, 19 Gethin Jones, 20 Craig Morgan, 21 Matt Urwin, 22 Ashley Hunter, 24 Ashley Nadesan, 25 Dean Marney 27 Harrison Biggins, 28 Jack Sowerby, 29 Nathan Sheron, 31 Billy Crellin, 38 James Wallace.