The prospect of challenging at the top of League 1 was the deal clincher for Northern Irish striker Rory Donnelly.

Two-and-a-half years after moving from Belfast club Cliftonville, the striker has endured a frustrating time.

He was restricted to reserve team football at Swansea, had a loan spell at Coventry cut short without playing a game and suffered relegation with Tranmere in League 2 last season while on a half-season loan.

A fresh start at a club looking up was just what the 23-year-old was looking for.

Donnelly said: “Justin (Edinburgh) has been trying to get me for a while and I came and talked to him and he told me about how the club are going to be run this season, fighting for promotion, so I was keen to come.

“I would like to have played more (since moving from Cliftonville) which is why I have come here to get more games.

“I could have gone somewhere else, where I could have taken it easy and chilled out but I want to play football and am happy to be here.

“It is a fresh start and what I needed. I needed to play football and will get my opportunity here. I am not saying it is going to be easy – I will have to work hard for it."