GAMES THAT CHANGED HIS LIFE

But how does Burnley’s No.1 use his Nintendo to keep his reflexes razor-sharp?

Remember when David James blamed a succession of goalkeeping gaffes on an addiction to his Playstation? To refresh your memory, the former Liverpool shot-stopper claimed some marathon sessions on Tomb Raider and Tekken in 1997 had left him exhausted and prone to making mistakes. But perhaps it was Jamo’s selection of console and shoot ‘em up favourites that were his real problem, rather than his fondness for video games. Why’s that, we hear you ask? Well, the Burnley goalkeeper Tom Heaton has revealed how his handheld console has contributed to the best campaign of his career so far. “I was given this Nintendo DS game called Sight Training to get my eyes warmed up,” he said. “It’s routine for me and something I have stuck to ahead of each match. “I play for about five to 10 minutes in the dressing room before I get my gear on and go out to warm up.” The former Manchester United trainee has made more saves than any other goalkeeper in the English top flight this term, helping the Clarets retain Premier League status. Man United’s current custodian David de Gea was given the nod between the sticks in the 2016-17 PFA Team of the Year – but Heaton could argue it was he who made the save of the season. The England man’s starfish-shaped stop, reminiscent of Peter Schmeichel, denied Zlatan Ibrahimovic in October. Maybe he had managed to smash his high score before kick-off.