Dyche may keep faith with Heaton for Terriers clash
BURNLEY manager Sean Dyche accepts he has ‘big decisions’ ahead of him when he decides on his team to face Town tomorrow after he dropped Joe Hart and got a clean sheet from goalkeeper Tom Heaton against West Ham.
Hart had started all 19 of
Burnley’s Premier League games prior to Sunday’s 2-0 win but, having shipped some 41 goals in that spell including five in a Boxing Day thrashing by Everton, he was dropped to the bench for his former club’s visit to Turf Moor.
And Hart watched on as Heaton – rarely troubled in his first Premier League start for 15 months – stayed alert to push Andy Carroll’s goalbound header onto the crossbar late on.
With England stopper Nick Pope also due to return from injury soon, Dyche is spoiled for choice between the posts but will struggle to keep everyone happy.
“Big decisions coming,” Dyche said. “You’ve got three England goalkeepers, all of high quality, and Tom showed that today.
“The thing I’m pleased with Tom is, he keeps his profession right. That’s hard when you’re out of the side, chomping, you want to be playing, he’s been so professional.
“He works hard, stays on top of himself and he gets his rewards because he comes in and not only gives a good general performance but makes a big, big save at the end.”
The selection of Heaton proved popular with the crowd even before kick-off, with the 32-year-old given a huge ovation when announced as captain for the day.
“Why would there not be a good feeling towards Tom Heaton?”
Dyche said. “I think so much of him, he knows that, but I can only pick 11 players, I can only pick one goalkeeper.”
Heaton lost his place in the side when he suffered a dislocated shoulder in September 2017, with Pope doing so well in his place he earned a trip to Russia as part of England’s World Cup squad.
When he too was injured in the summer Dyche moved for Hart, creating a logjam at the back.
There had been murmurs that Heaton might look to leave in January in order to find first-team football, but that possibility seems less likely after Sunday’s match.
“He’s not thinking about that today, trust me,” Dyche said. “Neither am I. We’re just delighted with a good team performance and he’s played his part in that.”
Robbie Brady could return to contention tomorrow.
The Republic of Ireland international has missed the last three games with an abductor problem but is back in training.
Matt Lowton is available again after suspension, but the match comes too soon for Steven Defour (calf), Stephen Ward, Aaron Lennon (both knee) and Nick Pope (shoulder).