POPE IN FRAME
<M<IP B@:B# <M<IP >F8C# <M<IP >8D<# Nick eyes Lions role
NICK POPE may yet play himself into Gareth Southgate’s World Cup plans if he continues to excel as his goalkeeping rivals falter.
His Burnley team-mates certainly think he is worth a shout when Southgate names his squad for next month’s warm-up games against Holland and Italy.
Burnley’s keeper thought he was finished when Ipswich released him at 16 and he ended up playing part-time with Bury Town.
He found his way back into the full-time game at Charlton before moving to Turf Moor nearly two years ago.
Pope was Burnley’s third-choice last season, but Paul Robinson’s retirement and Tom Heaton’s shoulder injury gave him a Premier League debut at Liverpool last September – and he has not looked back.
He impressed again on Saturday – despite having little to do – but he stayed alert to produce an outstanding second-half save from Saints substitute Josh Sims, flying to his left to tip the ball on to the post.
Southgate is short of options with West Ham’s Joe Hart and Saints stopper Fraser Forster unable to get into their club sides and Stoke’s Jack Butland producing a howler at Leicester on Saturday.
It means Everton’s Jordan Pickford is the leading candidate for England in Russia this summer.
But Clarets striker Ashley Barnes said: “Nick has been our player of the season. The number of games he has saved us has been fantastic. He deserves to be on that next level.”
The biggest threat to the international dreams of Pope might come at club level – because Heaton, who has three England caps, is almost fully fit again. Burnley captain Ben Mee said: “Heats is back training and he’s going to want to get in the team. “He wants to go to the World Cup too and that’s the healthy competition you need in a squad.” While Pope has shone, Burnley’s season has stalled. Barnes’ close-range header looked as if it would give them a first win in 11 league games.
Lifted
But Manolo Gabbiadini swept in his first goal since October to equalise in the last minute with referee Bobby Madley unwittingly playing his part in the build-up – much to Burnley’s annoyance.
The point lifted Southampton out of the relegation zone on goal difference – but they have still won just one of 15 league matches.
Midfielder James Ward-Prowse said: “It’s at times like this that everyone needs to be united.” BURNLEY (4-4-1-1): POPE 7; 6; Lowton 6, Long 6, Mee 7, Ward 6, Gudmundsson 6, Cork 5, Westwood 6. Lennon 6; Hendrick 4; Barnes Subs: Lindegaard, Taylor, Bardsley, Marney, Nkoudou, Wood, Vokes. League, UP NEXT: Everton (h), Premier Saturday. SOUTHAMPTON (4-2-3-1): 6, McCarthy 5; Cedric 6, Stephens (Boufal Hoedt 6, Bertrand 6; ROMEU 7 68, 75), Lemina 5; Ward-Prowse 5 (Sims 6; 7), Tadic 6 (Gabbiadini 81), Redmond Bednarek, Carrillo 5. Subs: Forster, Pied, Hojbjerg. League, UP NEXT: Stoke (h), Premier Saturday. Referee: Bobby Madley 5. scored YOUR TURN: Which midfielder they beat his last goal for Burnley when Saints 1-0 at home last season?