Burnley keeper Nick Pope continuing to improve, says boss Sean Dyche, ahead of England squad announcement

Gareth Southgate names his England squad at 2 p.m. on Thursday, for the friendly with the Republic of Ireland, and Nations League games in Belgium and against Iceland at Wembley.

Pope is expected to retain his place, and, after claiming his third cap last month in the 3-0 friendly win over Wales.

And, with Everton keeper Jordan Pickford in patchy form, having been left out of the Toffees' 2-1 defeat at Newcastle on Sunday - Pope will hope for another chance to impress.

He has had a couple of off days himself this season, at Newcastle, where he gave away a penalty, and he was caught out by Hakim Ziyech's opener for Chelsea on Saturday.

But Dyche said, as he assessed Pope's season to date: “A couple of ups and downs by his standards - equally I think he continues to mature.

"His starting position is getting better and better.

“His aggressive nature in coming to collect and deal with crosses improves all the time.

"There have been a couple of moments when things have got away from him, but to be fair him, we have not always performed in front of him and that’s important as well.

“As regards the England thing, Gareth seems to be very strong in his own mind about making his own decision regardless of form, good and bad, at their clubs. He’s got his own views on that and who he decides to play.”

Dyche, as ever, doesn't want to influence Southgate, and added: “It’s not my decision. I just think he’s developing into a very, very good keeper. I always thought he was a good keeper, but there are other parts of his game which are continuing to develop.”

He, however, hopes James Tarkowski can earn a recall to the squad: "The players know when they get called up that I’m a big fan of anyone getting called up for their country.

“I’m a big fan of that. I’ve never ever questioned players going on international duty, nor would I. I think it’s an honour and if they want to go, they have my blessing.

“We’ll see what happens with it and if he (Pope) can get involved, if Tarky can sneak in as well. Tarky continues to get sharper. I think his form is coming back again. He should be in and around it, so we’ll see.”