Mee boosts Burnley
BURNLEY manager Sean Dyche has been given a boost ahead of tonight’s Europa League third-round qualifying tie against Istanbul Basaksehir, with another key player committing to the club.
Defender Ben Mee has agreed a new three-year contract, tying him to the Clarets until June 2021 with the option of a further 12 months.
The 28-year-old has made 248 appearances for Burnley since joining from Manchester City, initially on loan in 2011 and then permanently the following summer. He is the club’s second-longestserving player, after fellow defender Kevin Long, and follows right-back Matt Lowton in extending his contract.
Originally deployed at left-back, Mee, a former England Under-21 player, has established himself as an impressive and consistent centre-back, forming a solid combination with James Tarkowski.
Striker Chris Wood has been ruled out of tonight’s first leg with an infection but new signings goalkeeper Joe Hart and defender Ben Gibson are in the squad. Dyche said: “They’ve travelled for a reason – to be included if needed. We don’t know yet if Joe will start, he’s new to the group.”