Burnley boss hails Heaton’s ‘fantastic journey’

Heaton was Dyche’s first permanent signing, arriving on a free transfer from Bristol City two years ago.

And he has gone on to be ever present in the league, playing all 46 games in the promotion season last term, and the 37 Premier League games to date.

Dyche said: “We are absolutely delighted for Tom.

“Congratulations go to him because it’s a huge thing personally, but also for everyone connected with Burnley Football Club “Tom was my first signing for the club, just after he had been relegated to League One with Bristol City, and here we are two years later with an England player in the squad.

“It’s a fantastic journey he has been on with us since then. He’s been in consistent form pretty much from day one and fully deserves his chance to show that on the international stage.”

Heaton would be the first Burnley player to be capped by England since Martin Dobson in 1974 if he gets the nod against the Republic of Ireland or Slovenia, and Dyche added: “To become the first player from the club to receive an England call up in 40 years is a big sign that we are on the right track as a club.

“Among the obvious disappointment of not maintaining our Premier League status, there are some very big positives for this football club and this is one of them.

“Tom’s achievement encapsulates all that is positive about the club at present.

“The whole profile of the club has been recognised and the fact we now have an England player shows that we are alive and kicking.”