Burnley defender Tyrone Mears returns to former club West Ham on Saturday hoping he will soon be eligible for England.

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.

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.

Former Hammer Mears was under the impression his estranged father was from Jamaica but has since discovered possible links to Sierra Leone.

Now he is attempting to have his international cap rescinded in the outside chance he catches Fabio Capello's eye in World Cup year.

"The problem is I am registered with FIFA as a Jamaican player, which shouldn't have happened," said Mears

"I don't qualify for Jamaica. You have to hold a passport to play for a country.

"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.

"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.

"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."

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.

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.

"When I started that season at Derby there was a little bit of talk about it then," said Mears, of England recognition.

"Steve McClaren and Terry Venables would be coming to our games - I have always had the potential.

"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.

"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."

Mears' current form is a contrast to that which he showed during his season of turmoil at Upton Park.

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.

"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.

"We were really struggling, we had some great players, the Argentinian lads came in and then the manager got sacked."

Burnley are yet to win outside their Turf Moor stronghold but have been buoyed by the point claimed at Manchester City last time out.

"It's important that we go down there and play as we know we can," said Mears.

"It's going to be hostile. The fans down there make it tough for the away teams.

"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.

"We are getting better away from home but but it's not about the performances, it's about the points."

With the lower half of the Premier League table something of a logjam already, away wins could be the difference between staying up and relegation.

"Everyone is taking points off each other, so it's going to

be a really interesting season," conceded Mears. "It will be really tight.

"After the top six teams I think everyone will be in it fighting to stay in the league."

Burnley's early-campaign success has been founded on continuity and they are expected to field the same XI for the fifth consecutive match on Saturday.