Cameron's Turf dream (From Lancashire Telegraph)

Cameron's Turf dream

8:30am Saturday 28th July 2012 in npower Championship table

BURNLEY starlet Cameron Howieson is hoping he can catch Clarets manager Eddie Howe’s eye at the Olympics with a string of impressive performances and force his way into the first-team picture at Turf Moor this season.

Howieson, 17, is currently in New Zealand’s squad at the Olympic Games – only a matter of months after making his senior debut.

He became one of Burnley’s youngest players in the last quarter of a century when he made his bow against Birmingham City in April and now he finds himself as a part of one of sport’s biggest show-pieces.

Howieson was a 73rd-minute substitute as the All Whites went down to a 1-0 defeat to Belarus in Coventry on Thursday night and, with Egypt their next opponents at Old Trafford tomorrow at noon, he hopes to use the Games as a springboard to greater things.

Howieson said: “I’m looking to do the best I can with New Zealand and hopefully I can get a recall into the first team at Burnley.

“This tournament is a great experience for me and I’m hoping that will help prepare me for first-team football. We’re expecting to challenge for promotion to the Premier League and I’d love to help that happen.”

Howieson has gained three caps with the senior New Zealand team during the close season, but he was still surprised to be called up for their Olympics squad, where predominantly under 23s take part.
 

The side is managed by former Wolves midfielder Neil Emblen.
 

On his inclusion, he said: “I definitely wasn’t expecting to be called up – I found out when I got the call from the gaffer last month.
 

“It’s been a bit of a whirlwind getting called after playing just a couple of games for Burnley, but it’s a great experience for me and it’s something I’m looking to take into the new season.
 

“It’s helped that the Games are in England and I’ve had a lot of support which makes me want to play better and show what I can do.”
 

It may not have been an ideal start for New Zealand, but Howieson is staying positive about their chances, even though a clash with the mighty Brazil looms in their third and final group game on Wednesday. The top two in the group qualify for the quarter finals.
 

“The boys played very well and we deserved more than what we got from the game but we have no regrets and we’ve got to take that into the Egypt game,” he said.
 

“The first 30 minutes against Belarus were probably the best a New Zealand international team has played for a while.”

- Lloyds TSB, proud supporter of Team GB and proud partner of the London 2012 Olympic Games.  Get closer to the Games at lloydstsb.com/london2012.