IT will not be just fans back home in Lancashire who will be keeping their eyes and ears on Wanderers match at Middlesbrough today – a corner of west Afirca will also be tuning in.

Football supporters in Sierra Leone are big fans of Spain’s La Liga and England’s Premier League. But when two of their home-grown players go head-to-head at the Riverside Stadium, the Championship will also be high on the agenda.

Wanderers midfielder Medo Kamara comes up against international colleague, and good friend, Kei Kamara on Teesside, hoping to secure the bragging rights and extend the Whites’ unbeaten run to nine matches.

And the 26-year-old says there will be a lot of interest back home.

Medo said: “There will be more interest in the game in Sierra Leone for sure. People will be watching the game back there.

“Football is really big in Sierra Leone and it can help people a lot when they are young.

“It brings a lot of the lads together and when they see two players from the country playing against each other it gives them belief that they can make it if they get a break.

“Most of the young lads back in Sierra Leone are watching the Premier League and La Liga, but with us two playing against each other people will watch.

“We have a group of fans who have been following us a lot.”

While determined to come out on top, the result is unlikely to affect Medo’s relationship with his 29-year-old Leone Stars team-mate.

He added: “It’ll be an interesting afternoon. I’m in regular contact with Kei.

“We speak every day and exchange text messages before and after games.

“He’s one of my good friends in the national team and I’m looking forward to playing against him.

“I have a feeling it is going to be a good game for sure.”