Pope won’t let it get personal

BURNLEY keeper Nick Pope claims his battle with Tom Heaton to remain the club’s first choice will not create any bitterness between them.

Pope has produced some eye-catching performances while Heaton recovers from a shoulder operation.

Heaton is expected to return early in 2018 to give manager Sean Dyche a selection headache. But Pope said: “We have a great goalie group. There will be no problems, I can assure you.

“We’ve worked together for over a year and have a great relationship on and off the pitch. We’ll push each other. There is competition, but we’ll cross that bridge when we come to it.

“I’m playing at the minute but I’m not going to get complacent.”

Today’s opponents Huddersfield have lost just one of their last five matches as they look to establish themselves among England’s best again. Their achievements have been eclipsed by high-flying Burnley, with Terriers manager David Wagner saying Dyche’s work is second only to Pep Guardiola’s this season.

“After what Guardiola has done this season, what Sean and Burnley have done is outstanding,” he said.

“The results speak for themselves. They are difficult to break down, they have conceded the fourth fewest goals in the Premier League. It is an unbelievable achievement. We’re on a totally different route. The size of the clubs and the cities are comparable but they’re on a totally different level to us. I’d love to have their wage bill.

“Right now there is a big gap between Huddersfield and Burnley. We have to write our own story.” POPE: Top form