BURNLEY’S third-choice goalkeeper Nick Pope is showing signs of improvement with the Clarets, according to boss Sean Dyche.

Pope was a summer addition from Charlton Athletic but the 24-year-old has been restricted to cup action only so far for Dyche’s side.

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With current England stopper Tom Heaton acting as number one, and former Three Lions keeper Paul Robinson as his deputy, Pope has played in all three of Burnley’s FA Cup games as well as the EFL Cup defeat to Accrington Stanley back in August.

The former Ipswich Town goalkeeper has conceded just once in those four games, to Stanley’s Matty Pearson in the 120th minute, and he will look to build on that record when he returns to the team for Saturday’s FA Cup fifth round clash with non-league Lincoln City.

“I did say early this season, just because he’s not in the public view, I said that he was developing and improving,” Dyche said of Pope.

“I think he is and I think he’s delivered really solid performances. He hasn’t had too much to do in any of the games but when he was called upon he did very well.

“He made a really good save from short distance the other day (against Bristol City), had safe hands in general, good kicking.

“He’s definitely improving and we like what he’s doing.”

Pope dropped into non-league with Bury Town after being released by Ipswich. He then returned to the Football League with Charlton and had eight loan spells before establishing himself with the Addicks last season, and earning his move to Turf Moor.

Dyche believes the fact Pope is now training with the likes of Heaton and Robinson, as well as goalkeeping coach Billy Mercer, is helping him improve his game.

“He’s got a good manner about him and he’s good around the group,” he said. “I think he’s learning well off Billy Mercer, Tom and big Robbo.

“It helps having them around and I think he’s adapting well to what we are. It’s a good group of goalkeepers there and Bill obviously with his knowledge as a coach and also his background as a player. It’s a really good group of goalies there I think.”