Loan spell benefits ‘sharper and fitter’ midfielder

loan rangers: David Mellor (left) and Kirk Millar spent a month at Chorley.

KIRK Millar is open to another loan move — but has set his sights on forcing his way into Athletic’s first-team plans.

The Northern Ireland under-21 midfielder enjoyed his time at Evo-Stik League Premier Division club Chorley, where he played nine games in four weeks alongside Athletic team-mate David Mellor.

And while he would prefer another loan move to Latics’ reserves, Millar (20) hopes his new sharpness will catch manager Paul Dickov’s eye.

He said: “Going to Chorley for a month was the best thing I could have done.

“I have come back to Boundary Park feeling like a different player — I am sharper and fitter than ever before.

“Chorley manager Garry Flitcroft kept spurring me on and knew what made me tick. I thoroughly enjoyed my time there.”

“My confidence is much higher now. I’m playing with less fear and more freedom. Hopefully that is starting to show.”

Millar’s route into Dickov’s side has been blocked by several players.

But he hopes a busy schedule will encourage Dickov to rotate his squad.

“We have a lot of fixtures coming up. Hopefully I can make it into the squad and then go from there,” added Millar.