PRESTON North End boss Graham Westley has warned Anthony Elding that he "won't just walk into" the Lilywhites' side.
As reported, the Mariners striker made a loan switch to Deepdale last week, and is set to stay with the League One club until at least January.
But after making his debut for the Lancashire club off the bench on Saturday against Brentford, the 30-year-old was an unused sub in Tuesday's evening draw with Notts County.
And Westley, pictured, has urged Elding to force his way into his first-team plans.
The Preston manager said: "I'm sure the fans will enjoy him, he's got a good character, but he's got to earn his place in the team first of all.
"Don't expect Anthony Elding to suddenly be featuring. He's been brought to the club to bolster the squad – he won't just walk into the side.
"Anthony played for me at Stevenage and got 50-odd goals in 100 games.
"He's had a checkered career of ups and downs. He had the glamour of a big move to Leeds United and recently he's been down in the Conference with Grimsby.
"He's a player I know well and as we go into this period of games over November and December, he's a goalscorer and will give us the cover you need up top if you're going to be successful."
Elding has eight more matches in which to make an impact before 'decision time' in January. Otherwise, a return to Blundell Park could be on the cards for the forward, who is contracted to the Mariners until 2014.
"If I play in most of those games, put in a real shift and work my socks off, that's all they can ask of me," Elding said.
"The lads are flying high and getting some great results. For me to come in and be a part of that, I need to get my legs moving and get up to speed quickly.
"Preston is a big club and you expect competition at big clubs. No place should be taken for granted, everyone's got to earn that place and earn that shirt."
The man who scored 16 goals for Town last season – and two more this campaign – is determined to take advantage of another shot at league football
"Obviously I've worked with Graham before. I played some really good stuff underneath him and scored a lot of goals," the frontman added.
"He knows what I can do and that's why he's brought me in.
"Graham expects a lot from every individual and if you play hard and give him everything you've got then he will appreciate that.
"This is an opportunity for me to go back into League One. I've been there before with three different clubs so it's not new – I just need to get myself going in training."
"Obviously coming from the Conference, on paper it doesn't look great, but I'm a player that's been at this level before."
He added: "The gaffer's given me the chance to return and I'm hoping to repay him and the club for showing a bit of faith in me.
"I like to think I can slot in. Whether it's on the bench or whatever capacity I'm playing, I shall give my all and see where it takes me come January."
