Oldham snap up Burnley defender Mills on loan

The defender moves to Boundary Park with immediate effect and could make his debut for the Latics in their away game at Peterborough United tomorrow.

Mills, 23, initially joined Burnley on a season-long loan from Reading in the summer of 2012.

In his first season at Turf Moor he made 12 appearances before the loan automatically became a permanent two-year deal this summer.

However, Mills has yet to feature for the Clarets this season - and manager Sean Dyche insists the short-term loan is all about getting the defender valuable game time.

Dyche said: “We feel that Joe needs some games. Danny Lafferty is in control of the shirt at the minute and with Ben Mee coming back it gives us another option.

“We’ve got to have players who are fit and ready to come into the side if needs be but with three left backs we felt Joe was one that could go out.

“It’s a similar thing to the Marvin Bartley situation as he’d been injured in pre-season, he needs the games and we’re well stocked for midfielders.

“There are a number of reasons for it but the main one is get Joseph properly fit with first-team games at League One level so he’s available for us.”