BURNLEY goalkeeper Tom Heaton believes being back in the England squad will help him develop further as a goalkeeper after being called up for the European Championship qualifiers with San Marino and Switzerland.

Three Lions boss Roy Hodgson has kept faith with the Clarets No.1 despite Burnley’s relegation to the Championship at the end of last season having previously called the 29-year-old into his squad for May’s friendly with the Republic of Ireland and the qualifier against Slovenia.

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While the Turf Moor skipper did not feature in either of those two games, having become the first Burnley player since Martin Dobson in 1974 to earn an England call, Heaton believes the experience of training with Joe Hart and Jack Butland will help make him a better player.

“I’m very pleased,” said Heaton. “Dropping down to the Championship sometimes makes it difficult but I’ve said all along that all I can focus on is performing. I’ll continue to try and do so and it’s nice to have that rewarded.

“One of the aims when I got the first call-up was to try and stay in the squad – thankfully that’s happened.

“That will certainly be my aim again to make sure I do enough and make enough impact so they want me back again.

“It’ll be about learning, developing and competing. I’m really excited to join up with the group again and do that.”

And the Clarets stopper, who moved to East Lancashire in the summer of 2013, also praised Burnley goalkeeping coach Billy Mercer for helping him improve during his spell at Turf Moor.

He added: “Billy has been absolutely outstanding from day one and I can’t thank him enough really. I think my game has improved a lot since I’ve been at the club.

“That’s all aspects of it, technically, game understanding, and the full lot. Obviously the manager, and all the staff really, have been fantastic and I really feel like they’ve helped me turn the corner in becoming a more senior player.

“I feel I’ve matured in the two and a bit years I’ve been here and hopefully I can continue that under their tenure and get better.”

Heaton has kept one clean sheet so far this season.