Thursday 21 May 2015 19:20, UK
Burnley boss Sean Dyche is delighted Tom Heaton's fine form has been recognised after the 'keeper was called up by England.
Heaton is one of three uncapped players, along with Leicester City forward Jamie Vardy and QPR striker Charlie Austin, included in Roy Hodgson's squad for the friendly against the Republic of Ireland and European Qualifier in Slovenia next month.
The 29-year-old was unable to keep Burnley in the Premier League, but his performances were often praised and he could become the first Clarets player since Martin Dobson in 1974 to represent England.
"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," said the Burnley boss, who signed the former Manchester United trainee in 2013.
"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.
"Equally, to become the first player from the club to receive an England call up in (over) 40 years is a big sign that we are on the right track as a club."
Much like Austin, who said his England call is a dream come true, Heaton is thrilled to be a part of the England set-up along with fellow 'keepers Joe Hart and Rob Green.
He said: “It’s difficult to put into words. When the manager told me it was almost difficult to believe and then there was a euphoric flood of emotion.
"It’s been a dream of mine since I was a little kid and pretty much everything since I started playing has been geared towards trying to get there.
"This isn’t the final step because the dream goes beyond this, but it’s certainly a great step along the way and I’m absolutely thrilled."
