ANDRE Gray and Sean Dyche have backed Tom Heaton to overcome the disappointment of missing out on an England call-up, and are confident it will not affect his game, with Gray declaring: “He’s the best keeper in the Championship”.

The Burnley captain had been involved with the Three Lions since his debut call-up last May - a consolation for the keeper, and the club, following relegation from the Premier League.

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Heaton had been involved in all four England camps since, and was among the 40 of the 47 invited for a meeting with Roy Hodgson at St George’s Park last month.

But Fraser Forster’s return to fitness after a long-term knee injury, has meant there is no place for Heaton in squad, for friendlies against Germany and the Netherlands, as Hodgson’s finalises his preparations for the Euro 2016 tournament in France.

However, Dyche insists the goalkeeper will not be downbeat about his omission, and will instead keep his full attention on winning a second promotion to the top flight with Burnley.

“He’s fine. He doesn’t take anything for granted and he’s totally respectful of the good keepers that are out there,” said the Clarets boss.

“He’ll be disappointed but Tom is a realist and he gets the market he’s in and there are some very good keepers.

“He’s done great again, and to be fair to stay in and around the group for so long outside of the top division has been a marker in itself, because that’s not easy to do, so all credit to him.

“To be at the stage of career he is and be in the England set-up is fantastic in itself. So I don’t think he’d look at the negatives, I think he’d look at the positives of the last period of his career and more, and what he’s still delivering at the moment.”

Of concentrating on club matters, Dyche added: “It’s a win-win anyway, if he does well here, if he helps us on the journey we hope to be on and we get the outcome we want it’s good for him and it’s good for us.”

While Gray is Burnley’s top scorer with 20 of his 22 goals this season, and Sam Vokes close behind with 13, the former Brentford striker credits Heaton with putting the Clarets in pole position in the Championship and primed for a Premier League return.

“He’s the best keeper in the Championship, hands down. He’s won more games than I’ve probably won and Vokesy’s probably won this season without anyone realising,” said the front man, who says it will be business as usual for Burnley’s number one.

“His head’s screwed and he knows better to not let that affect him.

“I”m sure he kind of new a bit, maybe. With Fraser Forster coming back he’s probably had it in the back of his head a little bit so it’s easier to get over. As long as it’s not too much of a shock for him.

“But he’s very strong headed.

“The boys have given him a bit of banter about it but it’s all laughs and jokes at the end of the day. He knows he’s good enough, Roy Hodgson knows he’s good enough, but it’s how it is sometimes.

“It’s an opinion at the end of the day and there’s only one that counts when it comes to the England team and that’s the main man.

“But he’s been in the England squad at Championship level and I don’t know many people who have done that.”