Claret Matt expecting tough return (From Lancashire Telegraph)

Claret Matt expecting tough return

7:00am Saturday 29th December 2012 in Sport By Suzanne Geldard, Burnley FC reporter

MATTY James will be in familiar surroundings when he heads to Turf Moor with Leicester City today.

For it was watching the Clarets as a youngster with his dad, Lynton, that the Foxes midfielder fell in love with football.

“I was seven or eight when my dad got me my first season ticket. It was just like a little red book and we used to sit in the Bob Lord Stand. They were great times and inspired me to be a professional footballer,” said the 21-year-old, who went on to be signed by Manchester United.

He has played against his boyhood club before, while on loan with Preston during their relegation campaign of 2010/11.

”It was a tough game,” he recalled of the Lancashire derby, which the Clarets won with a last minute Jay Rodriguez goal.

“I have supported Burnley all my life and I know how difficult the home fans can make it for you there.

“I am looking forward to the game. It is going to be great to go back there.

“The ground is just around the corner from my house. I have a lot of family and friends there. If I do play it will be a good memory for me.”

But there are split loyalties for his dad.

“I would imagine my dad will be sat in the Burnley end. He will refuse to go in the Leicester end I would imagine,” said James.

After only being restored to the side for the goalless Boxing Day draw at Hull, the midfielder is only interested in one outcome, however.

“Hopefully, if we show the same physicality and desire to keep a clean sheet and take our chances, we can get a result,” added James, who is out to help Leicester end a run of four games without a win today.

“At the start of the season when we won seven or eight games on the bounce you could see the confidence was high. But we are all human beings and when things aren’t going for you the confidence can low, and it is key.

“Hopefully, if we can get a couple of wins in the next couple of games then the confidence will rise again.”