ON-LOAN striker Alex MacDonald is determined to repay the confidence shown in him by Plymouth Argyle manager Carl Fletcher.

The 21-year-old from Championship club Burnley wants to play a part in helping the Pilgrims to retain their Football League status.

And he insisted the pressure of that fight against relegation did not worry him, or put him off making the move to Home Park.

MacDonald has signed on loan for Argyle, despite interest from League One outfit Rochdale, until March 6.

He could make his debut when Paul Sturrock's third-placed Southend United visit Home Park tomorrow (3pm).

Fletcher was alerted to the potential, and availability, of MacDonald by Burnley boss – and his former Bournemouth team-mate – Eddie Howe.

MacDonald told Herald Sport: "They are good friends and speak a lot. I think there was some interest from up north, including Rochdale, but Carl showed the eagerness to get me down here.

"Whenever someone wants you to play for them, it's a pleasure to help those people."

MacDonald had no doubts about making the move to Argyle, who have spent much of the season in the League Two relegation zone. They dropped back into the bottom two after losing 1-0 away to Port Vale last Saturday.

MacDonald said: "For me, it's just about going out and playing games, and it's a challenge coming here.

"There is certainly a job to do here, and I want to play a part in keeping this club in the Football League."

MacDonald is under no illusions about the size of the task facing Argyle, but he is not perturbed by it. In fact, the complete opposite. You put pressure on yourself, as a player, to do as well as you can," said the Scotland under-21 international.

"But the pressure doesn't get any bigger than this, because this is a massive club. It's something that will stand me in good stead for the future and, like I say, hopefully I can play a part in keeping this club in the Football League."

MacDonald knows about the fall from grace of Argyle over recent times, which has led to them being in such a perilous position.

In March 2009 he travelled with the Burnley squad for a Championship fixture at Home Park, which ended in a 2-1 win for the visitors who were promoted to the Premier League at the end of that season.

The Pilgrims have been in decline ever since.

MacDonald said: "We came here and played them in the Championship and I was in the squad that day.

"Even before I knew I was going to come here (on loan), it was an eye-opener looking at this club and seeing the position it was in."

MacDonald was one of two on-loan strikers snapped up by Fletcher on Tuesday – before the January transfer window slammed shut.

The other one was Preston North End's 21-year-old forward Juvhel Tsoumou, who is also in Argyle's squad for the game against Southend.

MacDonald and Tsoumou were on the opposing teams when Burnley and Preston faced each other in a reserve team match earlier this season.

"I played against him not so long ago," said MacDonald. "He's a big guy and a real handful."

MacDonald travelled to Plymouth on Wednesday and and trained with the club for the first time yesterday.

The striker's first impressions of his new club were all positive.

MacDonald said: "The boys were brilliant to me on my first day. You can tell there are some good players here.

"The gaffer (Fletcher) seems to be right guy to take this club forward. He's young and hungry, and he wants to make his way in management.

"It's similar to me. I'm a young player trying to make my way in the game."

MacDonald can play in a wide attacking role, either on the left or right, but he prefers playing in a central position.

He said: "Striker is definitely my favourite position. It's something I want to do, and I think the gaffer sees me playing there. But, if needed, I can go left or right, or wherever."