MARK PATTERSON could be making a return to Rossendale sooner than he thought.

The former Blackburn and Bolton midfielder ended his second spell at Dark Lane in December to take over as assistant boss at Conference strugglers Leigh.

But just weeks later manager Steve Waywell resigned and Patterson found himself in the hotseat.

And if Leigh can beat North West Counties side Flixton, as expected, in the Marsden Trophy second round, they will travel to Dale in the third.

Rossendale, managed by Jim McBride, booked their passage to the third round with a morale-boosting 2-1 win over UniBond Premier side Marine on Tuesday.

But they are struggling in the league and, ironically, it is a player like Patterson that McBride reckons he needs right now.

"It was a great win on Tuesday night but the oldest player in the team was only 24," he said.

"Everyone else was just 20 or 21 and they are a good young side. They have a lot of learning to do and they are a a bit naive at times but we can live with that because they are honest.

"So the prospects are looking good for Rossendale.

"We are always looking for new players but we don't want to bring anyone in just for the sake of it, they have to be better than what we already have.

"We could do with someone in the middle of the park, a Mark Patterson type really, someone who can pass it around a bit. That would help the younger ones.

"And it looks like he could be bringing his team here which would be nice."

Rossendale face Workington at home in UniBond Division One tomorrow and neither team has much left to play for in the league this season.

"We just need to pick up a few more points to make sure of safety," said McBride. "I don't think there is any chance of going down but football is a funny thing, you never know what might happen. Four or five wins would definitely do it.

"And we are still in two cups so maybe we can do something there."