Source: Team_Talk
Clarets ace Mears eyes England call
Stockport-born Mears has been tipped for a surprise international call by his club manager Owen Coyle but he is currently unavailable due to erroneously playing for Jamaica nine months ago.[LNB]The 26-year-old featured for the Jamaicans, then coached by former England international John Barnes, against Nigeria at Loftus Road in February despite having no links to the Caribbean country.[LNB]Former Hammer Mears was under the impression his estranged father was from Jamaica but has since discovered possible links to Sierra Leone.[LNB]Now he is attempting to have his international cap rescinded in the outside chance he catches Fabio Capello's eye in World Cup year.[LNB]"The problem is I am registered with FIFA as a Jamaican player, which shouldn't have happened," said Mears.[LNB]"I don't qualify for Jamaica. You have to hold a passport to play for a country.[LNB]"Because it was a friendly I was told it wouldn't count and I didn't think it was a big deal but apparently it is.[LNB]"I've spoken with lawyers and we've written to FIFA and I think everything's going to be sorted out. At the minute I couldn't play for England.[LNB]"I have to send some information to the FA and once they've signed off everything it should be fine, so it should happen in the next few weeks."[LNB]Mears, whose mother is English, joined the newly-promoted Clarets from Championship club Derby last summer after spending last season on loan at French giants Marseille.[LNB]Having previously appeared in the top flight for the Rams, a fine start to his Premier League return has inevitably put him in contention for England, who have a dearth of right-back options highlighted when Luke Young declined the chance for a return to international duty earlier this month.[LNB]"When I started that season at Derby there was a little bit of talk about it then," said Mears, of England recognition.[LNB]"Steve McClaren and Terry Venables would be coming to our games - I have always had the potential.[LNB]"England have not filled that right-back spot since Gary Neville has gone. The possibility is open. Glen Johnson has filled the gap but they need back up.[LNB]"It is not really a big topic on my mind, the important thing is that I keep performing well for Burnley and all the other stuff will be a big plus."[LNB]Mears' current form is a contrast to that which he showed during his season of turmoil at Upton Park.[LNB]Signed by Alan Pardew, injury restricted him to just five league appearances at the east London club, where he was briefly a team-mate of Javier Mascherano and Carlos Tevez.[LNB]"It was a difficult period for me and for everyone else there," recalled Mears, who scored for Derby on his first return to Upton Park.[LNB]"We were really struggling, we had some great players, the Argentinian lads came in and then the manager got sacked."[LNB]Burnley are yet to win outside their Turf Moor stronghold but have been buoyed by the point claimed at Manchester City last time out.[LNB]"It's important that we go down there and play as we know we can," said Mears.[LNB]"It's going to be hostile. The fans down there make it tough for the away teams.[LNB]"The main thing for us, though, is that the manager creates an atmosphere of no fear. He wants you to go out and enjoy yourself and give everything.[LNB]"We are getting better away from home but but it's not about the performances, it's about the points."[LNB]With the lower half of the Barclays Premier League table something of a logjam already, away wins could be the difference between staying up and relegation.[LNB]"Everyone is taking points off each other, so it's going to[LNB]be a really interesting season," conceded Mears. "It will be really tight.[LNB]"After the top six teams I think everyone will be in it fighting to stay in the league."[LNB][LNB]
