Tom looks England No.1

TOM HEATON staked his claim for the title of best English goalkeeper around right now.

Burnley’s Heaton turned in a brilliant display to earn him a man of the match award that he was never going to drop, given his form, as he tossed it between his hands while being interviewed.

It has been a long road back to this point for Heaton. Much longer and more frustrating than he could have imagined when he dislocated his shoulder in September 2017.

Firstly he lost his place for club and country to Nick Pope. Then when Pope suffered the same injury at the start of this season his route back into the team was blocked by another England keeper – Joe Hart.

Heaton, 32, ended up having to wait until the end of December to regain his league place and his return has coincided with an unbeaten run of seven games – Burnley’s best in the top flight since 1975.

The club captain laughed off the idea he is the reason for the Clarets’ upturn and said: “It has been an interesting journey.

Important

“There has certainly a been a bit of growth for myself. I am a little bit more resilient. I was never down, just frustrated. I always try to have a perspective and that is something I probably learnt.

“There are more important things in life – health, family, people. I love football every day.

“I’ve got a real hunger for it but I can separate the two now which is probably something that I needed.

“If anything I’m playing with a touch more freedom than before because of that.”

With all three of Gareth Southgate’s World Cup keepers, including Jordan Pickford, having their difficulties this season, Heaton’s return could be timely ahead of next month’s Euro 2020 qualifiers against the Czech Republic and Montenegro.

Asked if he will be sending a copy of his first-half display to Southgate, Heaton laughed then said: “No, no, no. There’ll be none