CHORLEY boss Matt Jansen is refusing to rule out a late charge into the National League play-off places ahead of tomorrow night's trip to Bradford Park Avenue.

The Magpies have closed the gap on the top five to just four points and while Jansen admits it is a long shot for his eighth place side to sneak into the play-offs with only eight games to play - he insists the form they are currently in gives them a great chance.

"People keep saying are you still playing for play offs but it is a cliche and we will take one game at a time and cross that bridge when it comes," said Jansen.

"If we can keep winning then it is a possibility but I am realistic, it is a long shot."

After tonight's trip Chorley face FC United and Stalybridge over the Easter weekend and a maximum points haul could change the complexion of Chorley's season.

"It's three massive games and if you win those then who knows what will happen," Jansen added.

"We just take each game as it comes and if we win the next game we just push onto the game after that. It will just build more and more belief.

"We have got confidence now with the run of results that we have been having - I think it is eight wins in the last 11 games."

Jansen has also been busy in the transfer market with the additions of former Burnley, Blackburn Rovers and Accrington Stanley winger Micah Evans from Stockport and full back Will Beesley from Southport

The Chorley chief has also allowed James Dean to join Evo-Stik League Premier Division side Ashton United on loan until the end of the season.

Dean hit 25 goals for Chorley last season and 26 in the promotion winning campaign of 2013-14 but has fallen down the pecking order at Victory Park this term.

But Jansen insists the former AFC Fylde man, who scored for Ashton in their win over Stourbridge on Monday night, remains part of his long-term plans.

"We have had a chat and I have said to get his spark back," Jansen said of Dean. "He's a great lad and I just said maybe go on loan and get your mojo back and start scoring goals again.

"He's playing with the weight of the world on his shoulders at the moment. I know he's a great player, he's done brilliantly for Chorley Football Club. It's only a loan move.

"If he can get back to where he was then he is still in my plans. He is a great player."