The 26-year-old joined the Hammers for £1m from Preston in the summer of 2006, but made only six appearances for the club before linking up again with Billy Davies at then-Championship leaders Derby.

It was an interesting spell in the East End, at a time when Carlos Tevez and Javier Mascherano joined the club.

Mear subsequently had another well-documented crack at the top flight with Derby, but now, back in the Premier League with Burnley, he is beginning to fulfil his vast potential.

And he looked forward to a return to the Boleyn Ground: "It was a difficult period for me at West Ham.

"I had a stress fracture and it was difficult fitness-wise to get going really.

"It was a good move for me; I'd had a good season at Preston in reaching the play-offs and it was a really consistent season for me so I was really looking forward to the move.

"West Ham had done really well the season before, getting to the FA Cup final and staying in the league.

"But it was just a crazy, crazy season with the manager Alan Pardew getting sacked, Alan Curbishley coming in, Mascherano and Tevez coming in. It was just a really crazy season."

Mears did appear in the UEFA Cup in one of his appearances, against Palermo, and he added: "The West Ham fans didn't really get to see the player I am.

"I went back the season after with Derby and managed to score a goal, which was nice, because obviously I wanted to put in a performance to show the fans what I could do.

"When I went back with Derby I was really surprised because I didn't really play that much, but they gave me a really, really good reception, which was really nice and I appreciate it.

"I had a really good understanding with them, and I wish I could have shown them what I could do for West Ham.

"I think a lot of them can understand I didn't really get a good shot at it."

Mears, who is expecting clearance from FIFA to be eligible for selection for England after his much-publicised friendly appearance for Jamaica, has maintained a high standard of performance so far since his summer move, and his understanding down the right with Chris Eagles is developing on and off the pitch, as the pair car-share: "I've made really good friends with Chris. I didn't really know him too much as a player before I came here but he's a fantastic talent.

"He's got the banter, and it does help (on the pitch). We do spend a lot of time together travelling in and out, going for lunch and dinner, and it does help because he plays in front of me and we kind of learn different things off each other and it's good."