Clarets midfielder expecting Nick Pope and James Tarkowski to get England call from Gareth Southgate!

Kieffer Moore of Wales collides with Nick Pope of England as Michael Keane of England looks on during the international friendly match between England and Wales at Wembley Stadium on October 08, 2020 in London, England.

Gareth Southgate will name his next squad tomorrow as the Three Lions take on the Republic of Ireland in an international friendly at Wembley before resuming their Nations League campaign against Belgium and Iceland.

Pope earned his third cap for his country when keeping a clean sheet against Wales last month and will likely retain his place in the group alongside Everton's Jordan Pickford and Manchester United's Dean Henderson.

However, Clarets centre back Tarkowski, who was on standby for the 2018 World Cup before withdrawing due to injury, hasn't been involved since last March when an unused substitute in England's 5-1 win over Montenegro in Podgorica.

James Tarkowski of England during a training session ahead of their European Championship Qualification match against Montenegro at St Georges Park on March 23, 2019 in Burton-upon-Trent, England.

"I fully expect both of them to be in and around the national setup," Stephens said. "Tarky has got himself into a position where he's in the top five or six in the division, along with Popey.

"As long as they improve and make our team better then I'm sure they'll continue to get opportunities."

Stephens was at Oldham Athletic until 2011 when Tarkowski had just made his breakthrough at Boundary Park.

He then joined Charlton Athletic, following loan spells at Rochdale and Southampton, just a month after Pope had penned a deal at The Valley.

Burnley's Dale Stephens in action against Newcastle United at St James's Park

"They've done really well," he said. "I didn't play with either of them, but they were both at the clubs I was at.

"I think Tarky came through around 12 months after, but you know of these players at younger ages and they were really highly thought of.

"It's no surprise that they're now excellent Premier League players and have become international players in the last few years."