ADIL YUSSUF JOINS BURTON ALBION

by GLENN BROOKES

NEW signing Adil Yussuf has set his sights on repaying the faith shown in him by manager Paul Peschisolido by helping Burton Albion reach the League Two play-offs.

Yussuf, born in Zanzibar, played in preseason friendlies at Tamworth and Solihull Moors — where he scored the only goal of the game.

Peschisolido strengthened his strikeforce yet further by handing a one-year deal to the 19-year-old, who has been on trial with the Brewers following his release by Leicester City at the end of last season.

He had a spell on loan at Tamworth last season, scoring twice in 10 appearances, and Peschisolido has been impressed by his attitude and potential.

Yussuf becomes the Brewers’ seventh signing of the summer as they look to avoid a repeat of last season’s battle to avoid relegation from League Two.

The Zanzibar-born player is the second striker signed by Peschisolido in the close season, following hot on the heels of former Port Vale frontman Justin Richards, and with Calvin Zola and Greg Pearson already at the club, the Brewers should have plenty of goals in them.

Peschisolido said: “I’m delighted to be able to bring Adi in to the squad.

“He’s got a great attitude, he’s trained really well with us and done well in the pre-season friendlies.

“He’s a big, strong boy who has a lot of potential.

“We think he needs work — we will do that with him — but the potential is there and he has got goals in him.

“We see him as one for the future, but at the same time we are hoping he can push this season and make an impact on the team - he can certainly deal with the physical side of things.

“We have four strikers at the club now and we needed that competition, we certainly don’t want any complacency.”

Yussuf said: “I’m really pleased that the gaffer has given me a chance and I want to thank him by doing well this season.

“The boys have helped me as well (during my trial), so I want to thank them as well.

“I want to score as many goals as possible and if things go well I think we can get into the play-offs.”

Peschisolido, meanwhile, has been boosted by the return to training of defenders Nathan Stanton and Aaron Webster, but centre-back Tony James remains a doubt for Albion’s season-opener at Torquay United on Saturday.

Stanton missed the Brewers’ final pre-season friendly at AFC Telford United on Saturday after picking up a knee injury in training.

Webster also missed the trip to the New Bucks Head after injuring his ankle in the Bass Charity Vase victory over Derby County in midweek.

James injured his groin at Telford and was taken off after just half an hour, and it remains to be seen if he will make the trip to Devon