DEON BURTON might have taken on the likes of Argentina legends Gabriel Batistuta and Juan Veron at the 1998 World Cup, scored against Liverpool and also played at the likes of Old Trafford and Stamford Bridge but he cannot wait to make his debut for York City at Cheltenham Town tomorrow.

The veteran, former Jamaica international is set to represent the 14th club of his distinguished career in England, having arrived at Bootham Crescent on loan from Scunthorpe.

He has previously plied his trade in the Premier League for five seasons at Derby County and scored 13 international goals in 59 caps for his country.

But, despite once commanding a £1million transfer fee and having played in every division of the domestic game, his hunger for football remains insatiable and his ambition is to carry on playing for another two years, which will take him to a landmark birthday.

The Reading-born attacker said: "I wouldn't even entertain coming here if I didn't still get a buzz going to places like Cheltenham. That's why I'm still playing at 38 - I just love the game.

"I want to try and get to 40 and see what happens then. I want to carry on for as long as my body keeps going, put in a good shift and I can keep up with the young lads without embarrassing myself."

Burton has 143 domestic goals to his name from 610 appearances and also netted 15 times in 50 matches for Azerbaijan Premier League outfit Gabala under former Arsenal and England defender Tony Adams between 2010 and 2012.

Since then, he has won promotion from Sky Bet League Two with Gillingham and Scunthorpe, where he worked under City boss Russ Wilcox, scoring six goals in 33 matches as the Iron finished runner-ups last term.

Previously, Burton was also on Sheffield Wednesday's books when Wilcox was Brian Laws' assistant at Hillsborough and believes the new City chief's transition to management has been seamless, adding: "He's a good, honest manager who likes to get the ball down and play.

"He just seems to have flowed into the job and it's like he's been a manager for years. He was a number two for a long time and has taken on vast amounts of information, while putting his own twist on it to get what he can out of players."

Wilcox started Burton in 21 matches last season but under Mark Robins - the Glanford Park club's new manager - he has been used sparingly since returning from a knee injury.

He was, therefore, happy to learn of his old boss' interest, explaining: "Since the new manager came in at Scunthorpe, I've only played seven minutes in three games.

"I've just come back from injury, but I wanted to play a bit more of a part, so this move should be good for both parties. I feel fit.

"I played in a reserve game on Monday and everything is fine with the knee."

Burton has also been given clearance to turn out for City in next weekend's FA Cup home clash with AFC Wimbledon and is looking forward to playing a full part during his loan stay - however long that might be.

"I'm here for a month and, if the team are in a better position at the end of that, then obviously I will have helped," he reasoned. "That's my aim at the moment.

"What happens after the month I don't know but you can never say never to anything. I also want to help others and lend a hand where I can with my experience."

Burton, who drew 0-0 at Bootham Crescent with Gillingham during the Minstermen's first season back in the Football League, is now hoping for better fortunes at the stadium than he experienced on his latest visit "The last time I played here with Scunthorpe, we got thumped 4-1," he grimaced. "I've not really got good memories playing against York at Bootham Crescent. Hopefully there will be better ones playing for them."

Having been at dressing rooms in countless different scenarios, Burton has been encouraged, meanwhile, by the morale of City's third-bottom squad, insisting: "I could see within two hours of being here, that there was definitely no problem with confidence. There's a buzz around the place and everybody's working hard in training."

Burton scored 12 goals for Derby in the top-flight during the 1998/99 season with his biggest haul in a season coming seven years later when he notched 14 times for Rotherham in League One.

He is also familiar with a couple of faces at Bootham Crescent as his career has crossed paths with City keeper Michael Ingham and midfielder Lewis Montrose in the past.

"I have played with Monty at Gillingham and done my UEFA B coaching badges with Inghy," the ex-Portsmouth, Brentford and Charlton attacked revealed. "Monty is a strong, physical player and, while I don't know Inghy as a goalkeeper, he's a good coach."

Having played instrumental roles in success at this level with Gillingham and Scunthorpe, Burton went on to cite the importance of discipline for any side planning to thrive in the English game's basement division.

"You have to be tight as a group and try to concede as few fouls as you can because, at this level, set pieces are where you get caught out," he argued.