Marcus Edwards opens up on his 25-man squad list snub

Marcus Edwards admits it’s been a “strange” start to the season for him on a personal level, having found himself in and out of Burnley’s plans.

At the start of September, having already featured in five games, the winger was surprisingly left out of the Clarets’ 25-man squad following the closure of the summer transfer window.

Nicky Hayen even revealed the 27-year-old was free to leave should an opportunity arise for him to do so.

But, not only was the former Tottenham man later added back into the squad, he was thrown straight back into the starting line-up for the 1-1 draw against Derby County.

He’s since featured off the bench against both Watford and Charlton Athletic, scoring against the Hornets during Burnley’s 4-0 win - their first of the season.

“It's been strange,” Edwards conceded.

“You know, that's not really happened to me before. It was a bit of a weird scenario that I got put in and it was unexpected and it wasn't ideally how I wanted to start the season.

“But the main thing is that I'm back in now and I can help the team when needed.”

When asked if a move away was ever on the cards, Edwards added: “Yeah, it was a possibility.

“It was strange because it happened right at the end of the transfer window and stuff, so it kind of put me in a predicament where I might not even be able to leave or whatever.

“But luckily, I got put back in, so I'm just focused on that now.”

Edwards also revealed part of his motivation to switch his international allegiance to Cyprus was fuelled by a desire to play, just in case he remained out of Burnley’s plans.

“They [the Cypriot FA] used to message my Mum,” he added. “My mum used to tell me, but I never used to take it too seriously because I haven’t played international football since I was younger [having represented England during the various age groups].

“I was just used to having my breaks, taking a break during the off-season, but when I went to Cyprus during the summer it kind of just built from there. I went to watch a game with my family and it just sparked it a little bit.

“Then also me not being in the 25-man squad also sparked it as well because I was thinking I’m not going to get any games,so all of that just happened in the same time period.”

It proved to be an inspired choice, with Edwards scoring twice in his first four games.

“It was very good,” he said. “It was a nice experience.

“It was my first time playing international football at a senior level, representing my country from my mum's side. It's exciting for me to just continue in the future with them.

“I go there every year. I speak the language, I eat the food and my grandparents live there.

“I went away, I did well and now I feel like I’m in a good place personally. It’s just a case of seeing what happens, whether the manager chooses to play me or whatever. I’ll just be ready for the time that I get on the pitch.”