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MEARS READY FOR STEP UP IN CLASS
Mears - impressed on trial.
Tyrone Mears insists he is ready to make the leap from the English Championship to the Champions League after moving to Marseille.
The 25-year-old joined the early Ligue 1 pace-setters from second flight side Derby on a season-long loan deal on Monday after impressing coach Eric Gerets during a two-day trial.
The move has come as something of a surprise to many in France, but Mears is ready to prove he is worthy of a place in the team.
"I believe in my abilities. And even if I know I'm going to have to fight for my place, I'm ready for the challenge," he told Eurosport France.
"I've come here to play football with a big club which is in the Champions League. And I don't think the French league will be so different from the Premier League.
"It's perhaps a bit more technical, but I'm going to adapt.
"I'll also be able to bring my knowledge of the English game. That could be useful to the team, especially against Liverpool."
Mears will return to face the Reds in the Champions League after Marseille were drawn alongside Rafael Benitez's side in Group D.
He will have unhappy memories of playing at Anfield though, having been a part of the Derby side which shipped six goals there last season.
Howver, Gerets revealed it was during that defeat that he first became aware of Mears' ability.
"I saw one of his side's games last season where they conceded six goals and despite that he had a good match," Gerets told the Marseille website, www.om.net.
"He showed the qualities I want to see in a wing-back, both offensively and defensively.
"I didn't know too much about his game, his character and his mentality, which is why I didn't ask about him until I'd spoken to him over the phone.
"He impressed me in a way which I've not experienced much in these past few years."
Despite liking what he has already seen in his new signing, Gerets admitted Mears has a fight on his hands to claim a regular place in the team.
"(Laurent) Bonnart is undeniably still first choice," he continued.
"But if Tyrone shows himself to be better than the rest, he'll play, just as is the case with all the positions where he have two players."
