Wanderers forward Chris Eagles is backing team-mate Tyrone Mears to play a key role under new manager Dougie Freedman.

While Eagles was picked out by Freedman as a man he believes will blossom, the 26-year-old also believes his former Burnley compatriot can shine.

And after an injury-hit first season with Wanderers which saw him break his leg at the start of the campaign, Eagles believes the best is yet to come from Mears.

The former Manchester United man said: “It’s an honour to play with Ty.

“The breaks he’s had with his legs... he’s had operation after operation. He’s such a nice lad and a great player that he deserves good fortune because of what he’s been through.

“To do it twice on both legs – and when he broke his leg here people don’t know he had another operation because it went wrong – is amazing bad luck.

“It’s all right for people to sit on the side and point fingers, but what he’s been through mentally and physically I doubt if a lot of people would have got through it.

“To have snapped his leg clean in half ... he shows every game the talent he’s got.

“Not a lot of right-backs have got it, and he should be playing a lot higher.”

Eagles combined with Mears on the right for Wanderers recently before switching to a more central role at Middlesbrough.

The Whites top scorer with six goals says he enjoys linking up with the full-back, but is willing to play anywhere.

“Last week some lads were on international duty and they put me on the right, so I had an inkling I was going to start there,” he said.

“I don’t mind where I play – right, left or in the hole. Second half I dropped in the hole.

“But it’s great playing with Ty. He’s so attacking and powerful that if I commit a defender I know he’s going to make the runs – we used to do it at Burnley.”