Chris Atkinson is relishing the chance to compete on level terms with Sebastien Loeb and Dani Sordo when he takes the wheel of a factory spec Citroen C4 WRC on January’s Rally Ireland.

Atkinson was left out in the cold after Subaru’s shock withdrawal from the series on 16 December but was thrown a lifeline by Citroen a week later when the French firm signed him up to its new Citroen Junior Team.

For now the 29-year-old Australian is only confirmed as a part of the team for Rally Ireland, but Citroen Sport Technologies Manager Benoit Nogier said he believes the association will go beyond this event - the first of the 2009 season.

Speaking to the Sydney Morning Herald Atkinson said: “This is a wonderful opportunity for me as I will be able to compete against Sebastien Loeb in a similar car and obviously my aim is to be as competitive with him and Dani Sordo as soon as possible.”