Mee ready to fight for shirt

Defender Ben Mee is determined to keep his spot in Sean Dyche’s starting XI for the remainder of the season.
Ben MeeBen Mee
Ben Mee

The 25-year-old dropped to the bench following the 3-1 defeat to West Ham at Turf Moor in October and subsequently missed games against Everton, Arsenal, Hull City, Stoke City and Aston Villa.

However, Republic of Ireland international Stephen Ward was stretchered off with an ankle injury during the 1-1 draw with Newcastle United with Dyche later confirming that he’ll be out of action for at least six weeks.

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Mee replaced his team mate in the 66th minute of the aforementioned fixture and went on to contribute to the Clarets’s fifth clean sheet of the term in victory over Southampton at the weekend.

“I got my chance and I want to stay in the team for the rest of the season,” he said. “I’m going to do my utmost to do that. The gaffer changed it for a reason so I’ve got to prove him wrong and show him that I want to be in the team.”

Mee had been struggling with illness prior to the clash with Ronald Koeman’s Saints and was replaced by Danny Lafferty in the 74th minute.

But the full back was proud of his performance up to the change after keeping Serbian international Dusan Tadic quiet for the majority.

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“A lot of teams that come here especially find it hard,” he said. “We don’t give teams easy games and they’re finding that out when they take to the pitch against us. They found that today and it was great to get that goal to calm the nerves, particular after Tom’s great save.”

Mee added: “It’s what I like to do to keep the winger at bay so it was good. It’s a great win and they’re a really good side so to get that win boosts us going in to that Christmas period.

“The boys at the back were awesome. The two centre halves were brilliant and kept their strikers quiet. I thought they were excellent but the whole team were brilliant.

“He (Tadic) took the penalty so I’m glad he didn’t score. It was nice to be back in the team and playing well. It was great to keep him quiet; the lads at the back kept everyone quiet.”