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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Sport
Steve Bates

Vincent Kompany stance on Burnley star who missed Sunderland clash due to passport issue

Lyle Foster was all set to fly back from South Africa to fuel Burnley ’s jet-propelled ascent into the Premier League.

But the Clarets forward never even got as far as the tarmac – all because his passport didn’t contain two unstamped pages. Turf Moor gaffer Vincent Kompany was considerably less than impressed when word reached him that 22-year-old Foster was grounded back home.

There was no way he could line up against Sunderland on Friday night. But it is understood Foster will escape a club fine. And it was all looking so good for the £11million January signing from Belgian club Westerlo.

He was on international duty for an Africa Cup of Nations double header for South Africa against Liberia – scoring twice in the first game. Then Foster fell foul of immigration officials who brandished a red card and said he could not fly back to the UK unless he had a new passport.

Kompany’s men missed the chance to move a step closer to promotion against Tony Mowbray’s spirited Sunderland, who battled hard for a 0-0 draw.

It was the first time this season any team has stopped runaway leaders Burnley scoring at Turf Moor. A win over the Black Cats would have meant victory at improving Middlesbrough on Good Friday would have returned Burnley to the top flight.

Lyle Foster will avoid a fine for his passport mishap after heading to South Africa on international duty (PHILL MAGAKOE/AFP via Getty Images)

Now they face tough back-to-back games against Boro and Sheffield United on Easter Monday. Mowbray reckons Kompany and Boro boss Michael Carrick are on a fast track to the very top. But Kompany believes there’s more to admire in Mowbray’s longevity.

He said: “I know Michael as a person and I have a lot of respect for him and his work ethic. “His brain is something that’s standing out as a manager now as well as when he was a player at Manchester United.

“We are both on our own trajectory, but when I’m Tony’s age I’d love to be managing my teams like him. I see the parallel with Carrick but I have just as much respect for Tony Mowbray and what he does. He’s had to reinvent himself and has built a very good young Sunderland side.”

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