Burnley midfielder McCann close to new deal (From Lancashire Telegraph)

Burnley midfielder McCann close to new deal

9:54am Thursday 9th July 2009

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CHRIS McCann could be days away from signing a new deal that would keep him at Turf Moor until at least 2012.

The Dubliner, who celebrates his 22nd birthday during Burnley’s tour of America later this month, has just entered the last year of his current contract.

But manager Owen Coyle has made moves to secure the much-valued midfielder’s services for at least the next three years, and hopes the extension will be finalised once McCann’s representative has returned from a fortnight’s holiday.

Central midfield partner Graham Alexander has welcomed the news, and backed McCann to prove his Premier League credentials next season.

Coyle has already dubbed the youngster “ready-made” for the top flight, and Alexander fully expects the Clarets’ youth team graduate to live up to expectations.

“I think Chris is already on the scene. He’s a fantastic player and it was brilliant playing next to him all last season,” said the 37-year-old.

“He’s got everything you need to be a top player, and I think he will go on to prove that in the Premier League next year.

“I can’t speak highly enough of him. He trains well every day and pushes himself, and I like players like that.”

And Alexander hopes Burnley’s new Premier League status would impact on McCann’s international ambitions.

The Clarets’ youth team graduate has maintained that playing well for Burnley is his only priority, but consistent performances in league and cup last season, which culminated in a Carling Cup semi-final appearance and promotion via the play-offs, went unrewarded by the Republic of Ireland, either at senior or Under 21 level.

It is assumed that McCann is still being ostracized for opting out of the U21s in November 2007, less than two hours before their UEFA Championship qualifier with Bulgaria after being named on the bench for the second consecutive game.

At the time, U21s manager Don Givens said “Will I pick him again? Would you?”.

McCann was later invited back into the fold for the Group Three clash with England in February last year, however injury ruled him out on that occasion, and he hasn’t been selected since.

But Alexander feels it’s only a matter of time before McCann earns his first full international cap, perhaps bypassing the U21s altogether after being capped at U17, U18 and U19 level.

“I think he probably should have been in the squad anyway through the games he has played this season. But I’m not the manager or part of that set-up,” he said.

“But it can’t do him any harm to be playing in the Premier League and playing well. If he’s doing that then he’s going to force his way in there.

“Once he is, I think he will establish himself in the international set-up.

“But you can’t get into something like that unless you?re doing well for you club, so it’s good that that’s his focus.

“You get your rewards after that.”

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