Mears defends French trial

Tyrone Mears says he wants to play top-flight football.

By Ashley Marshall   Last updated: 31st August 2008

tyrone mears derby

Mears: Misunderstanding

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Out-of-favour Derby right-back Tyrone Mears has defended his decision to go AWOL for a two-day trial at Marseille, calling it a "misunderstanding" between him and the club.

Derby boss Paul Jewell told Mears on Saturday that he would never play for the Rams again, but Mears said the thought of playing in Ligue 1 was too good to pass up.

The 25-year-old had been told he would not be allowed to move before Monday's transfer window deadline, but Mears says his ambitions of playing at a higher level got the better of him.

He told Sky Sports News: "It was a misunderstanding between me, my representatives, Marseille and Derby, that's all it was.

"I flew there on the understanding that a deal had been done but it was still being negotiated and the next day I was told to come back.

"But this opportunity was too good to turn down - it is really exciting. It was a misunderstanding and I am just happy that everything has been agreed now."

The French giants had faxed Derby asking to take Mears on a two-day trial with a view to loaning him.

But after Jewell had spoken to Mears, the Derby boss thought the matter had been resolved and that the defender would be a key figure in Derby's Championship plans.

Outrage

However, Mears flew out the next day, causing outrage and disbelief at Pride Park.

With Mears' Derby career now in limbo, the former Preston defender says he would have liked the chance to help Derby return to the Premier League.

Mears added: "I talked to the manager and chairman in the summer and they knew that I didn't really want to play in the Championship and that I wanted to play in the best league I could.

"I don't want to be leaving Derby the way I have because obviously it's not going to look too good, but I have made a lot of friends there and I guess with Derby on a bad run at the minute I would have liked to stay there and won games and gone back up."