Mee’s delight as players return

Centurion Ben Mee believes everything is starting to fall back into place for the Clarets.
Confidence boost: Ben Mee, pictured in action against Crystal Palace winger Jason PuncheonConfidence boost: Ben Mee, pictured in action against Crystal Palace winger Jason Puncheon
Confidence boost: Ben Mee, pictured in action against Crystal Palace winger Jason Puncheon

The 25-year-old defender, who could make his 100th start - and 105th appearance - for the club against West Ham at Turf Moor tomorrow, stated that a return to full fitness for Sean Dyche’s key personnel will polish a growth in belief and confidence among the squad.

Last season’s top scorer Danny Ings was withdrawn with a hamstring injury in the stalemate against Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park, and midfielder Dean Marney has been absent since the 0-0 draw with Sunderland on home soil in September.

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His central partner David Jones sustained a thigh strain in the same fixture, and Matt Taylor is recovering from an achilles injury.

Kieran Trippier was stretchered off after going over awkwardly on his ankle in the 2-2 draw with Leicester City at the King Power Stadium, while loanee Michael Keane was substituted on the stroke of half-time in England Under 21’s Euro 2015 play-off win against Croatia at Molineux last week.

With the exception of striker Sam Vokes, who is making good progress after rupturing his anterior cruciate ligament six months ago, the majority of Sean Dyche’s walking wounded are expected to return in the coming weeks.

And Mee believes that will help the club’s cause in the Premier League no end.

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“Confidence is coming back and we’ve got a few players to come back from injury,” he said.

“Hopefully the break has helped them recover.

“I think we’re gaining in belief and confidence as well. You need confidence in this league.

“Danny (Ings) is an important player but the lads up there have done really well.

“They’ve worked their socks off. Bringing Ingsy back would be brilliant obviously and so would getting Deano and Jonah back as well. To be fair the lads have done great.”

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The aim now is to turn that confidence in to points as the Clarets search for their first maximum of the term.

After registering their fourth point of the campaign against the Foxes, the former Manchester City youth player is confident of making Turf Moor a fortress with the Clarets having home advantage in five of the next seven league outings.

“We’ve had two tough away games so with two home games now hopefully we can take something from them,” said Mee.

“We’re strong at our place and we need to turn the Turf into a fortress.

“Hopefully that will help us.”

He added: “I’m enjoying the challenge. I’m loving it.

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“I’m grateful for the opportunity to play in the team and I’m going to do my best every game.”

“The next aim is to win a game now.

“We’ve definitely got the players to do it and hopefully it’ll happen the next time we play. We’re defending well, we just need that belief that we’re going to score plenty of goals. We’re getting there.”