That Was The Clarets Week That Was...

Our regular feature continues with a few snippets of news that may have passed you by in the 'Clarets World` last week!

Howieson gets Kiwi International Call Up!

What a year it has been for New Zealander, Cameron Howieson!

One of Burnley`s new professionals, Cameron Howieson (pictured above) could become the club`s youngest ever international after being fast-tracked into the New Zealand senior squad. Last week it was announced that the 17 year old midfielder had made the All Whites` 22-man squad for the forthcoming friendlies in the United States and the 2014 World Cup qualifying games.

This great news comes just a month after being handed his Clarets debut and being offered his first professional deal. The Blenheim-born young gun only arrived at Turf Moor last summer on a two-year scholarship.

His progress has been meteoric since then after helping the Clarets reach the FA Youth Cup semi-finals for the first time in 34 years. A two-year professional contract followed and he then made his senior debut from the bench at home to Birmingham City last month Well done lad! Clarets fans might even see him at the Olympic Games in East London this summer! If Howieson impresses during his spell with the senior squad, he could be rewarded with a place in New Zealand`s Olympic squad for the London 2012 games!

Clarets fans wanting to follow his international prowess this summer will wasn`t to know that Howieson will travel for friendlies against El Salvador in Houston on May 23 and Honduras in Dallas on May 26. New Zealand will then move on to the Solomon Islands for group games against Fiji, Papua New Guinea and the host country, in the Oceania round two qualifiers over the June 1 to 12 period.

Burnley X-Files-Henderson & Blake

It was recently announced that chief scout, Tim Henderson had left Turf Moor by mutual consent. The latest news this week was that he had not let the grass grow under his feet and had already accepted a new role with Swansea City! Henderson has become the Swans' technical recruitment scout with immediate effect and will now work closely with Swansea chairman Huw Jenkins, manager Brendan Rodgers and head of player recruitment Dave Leadbetter! A rather interesting appointment since it has now been rumoured this week that Chris McCann has suddenly become a Swans target! Coincidence or what?

Meanwhile Clarets fans ecstatic about the demise of Owen Coyle`s Bolton following their relegation from the top flight might have had mixed feelings to learn that legendary striker and midfielder, Robbie Blake was one of eleven players to be released at the Reebok.

Robbie Blake's two years on the books at Bolton Wanderers was somewhat of an anti-climax and at 36 surely it is now time for him to retire? It was clear that Blake left the Clarets for the second time due to problems with then manager Brian Laws. He cited the fact that the thought he didn`t get enough games at Burnley under the new manager following Owen Coyle`s departure. How ironic then that at Bolton he virtually never featured in a white shirt!

Blake made only three starts in his first season for Bolton all of them in cup games. He played in the Carling Cup against Southampton and ironically against Burnley. A FA Cup tie against York City then followed. His other nine appearances that season in the Premier League were all as a substitute.

He got a second season at the Reebok but his appearances became even less and he played little part in trying to help the club avoid relegation. Something in which they failed! He made just one top flight appearance on the opening day of the season against QPR coming on as a late substitute. His only start was in the Carling Cup clash against Macclesfield.

The last time Blake made a start in the league was for Burnley over two years ago when we got tonked by a vibrant Manchester City at home. Good luck Robbie and thanks for all those great memories especially those free-kicks in 'Robbie Blake Territory`!!

Stags compete with Clarets for Hednesford Target!

Could Burnley be about to be outbid by a non-league club? Sky Sports understand Mansfield Town have made an official approach to sign Burnley target Chris Clements.

The Hednesford Town midfielder caught the eye of a number of Football League clubs this season including the Clarets after scoring 17 goals from midfield. Indeed Clements enjoyed a week on trial at Burnley earlier this month but there has been no news regarding a possible deal.

It would appear Mansfield are now hoping to steal a march on their rivals by making an offer for the former Crewe youngster.

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