FORMER Ipswich Town boss George Burley reckons new striker Gianfranco Tome could make an impact similar to that of the Blues' Pablo Counago, currently one of the First Division's hottest properties.

FORMER Ipswich Town boss George Burley reckons new striker Gianfranco Tome could make an impact similar to that of the Blues' Pablo Counago, currently one of the First Division's hottest properties.

Derby County manager Burley signed 23-year-old front-runner Counago on a free transfer from Spanish club Celta Vigo in July 2001.

And he reckons his latest capture for the Rams, 18-year-old Peruvian Tome, could blossom into a talent of similar stature to Counago.

Burley said: "He's a similar type of player to Pablo Counago, who I took to Ipswich, and just like Pablo it might take him a while to settle in.

"It took Pablo a year to adapt to English football but in his next season he was exceptional and I've had reports he's looking very impressive in pre-season this year too."

Marcus Stewart, another Burley signing for Town, has been handed the No. 10 shirt at Sunderland, giving a huge hint that Kevin Phillips is on his way out of the Stadium of Light. Stewart failed to score against old club Huddersfield but has vowed to get things right and repay the faith shown in him by Black Cats boss Mick McCarthy.