Pope stakes claim for England call-up

Nick Pope has come a long way since his days as a college student playing part-time in the Isthmian League. Yet even then, he was tipped for big things. If he carries on at his current rate of progress, the Burnley goalkeeper might yet go to the World Cup.

When he left Bury Town to join Charlton in 2011, the non-league club’s manager, Richard Wilkins, told Pope that he would be playing Premier League football within five years. The prediction was only just out – it took six.

Pope did not forget that forecast, texting Wilkins after making his first Premier League start for Burnley at Liverpool in September. The 25-year-old, promoted after Tom Heaton dislocated a shoulder, has since grabbed his chance.

England manager Gareth Southgate was at Turf Moor as Pope made an outstanding second-half save to deny Southampton substitute Josh Sims. Southgate is approaching a World Cup unsure of who his three goalkeepers should be; Joe Hart and Fraser Forster cannot get into their club sides, while Stoke’s Jack Butland made a dreadful error at Leicester on Saturday.

Everton’s Jordan Pickford may well be first choice in Russia, but Pope is worth a chance too, according to Burnley forward Ashley Barnes. “Yes, 100 per cent,” Barnes said. “Nick Pope has been our player of the season. He deserves to be on that next level, but of course that’s not our decision to make.”

Arguably the biggest threat to Pope’s international ambitions might be at club level. Heaton is approaching full fitness again.

While Pope is thriving, Burnley’s season has stalled. Barnes headed in from close range, but Manolo Gabbiadini swept in an equaliser.

That lifted Southampton out of the relegation zone, but form remains a worry at St Mary’s. “I don’t think there’s a negative atmosphere,” argued midfielder James Ward-prowse. “I think everybody’s just frustrated, maybe, at our lack of wins. It’s at times like this that everyone needs to be united.”