CLARETS captain Tom Heaton believes the ‘outstanding’ defensive duo of Michael Keane and Ben Mee has been integral to Burnley’s success this season.

Burnley have tightened up at the back in recent weeks and while Heaton believes the defensive unit as a whole deserves credit, he singled out the ever-present central defenders for praise.

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In their first 15 Premier League games of the season Burnley conceded 25 times, but in the 14 since the 3-2 win over Bournemouth on December 10 they have shipped just 17 goals. And Heaton believes the defensive display at Anfield, where they restricted Liverpool to just three shots on target, is an indication of that improvement.

“We’ve set up really well this year, we’re defensively solid,” the skipper said before departing for international duty. “At Anfield there wasn’t chances left, right and centre, the only real action I had apart from picking the ball out of the net was (Sadio) Mane in the last minute when the game was getting a bit stretched.

“That’s a good indication to where we’re at.”

Of the role Keane and Mee, who have figured in every minute of all 29 Premier League games, have played in that resilience, Heaton said: “They’ve been outstanding. I’d include the full-backs and midfield in that but especially Ben and Keano, they’ve been top drawer, and it’s nice to get a bit of cover from them.”

Heaton and Keane are away with England this week, with the latter’s club performances helping him to win a first Three Lions cap in the friendly with Germany on Wednesday night.

When the pair return to Turf Moor they will be keen to ensure top flight survival with the Clarets eight points clear of the bottom three with just nine games to go.

Heaton was an ever-present in the 2014/15 Premier League season, when Burnley recorded 10 clean sheets, and he believes Sean Dyche’s side have found a better balance between defence and attack this season, with their seven clean sheets so far offset by 31 goals - already three more than two years ago.

“Going back to a couple of seasons ago I think we had 10 clean sheets over the year, which was excellent, but I think we need to find that balance between defending and attacking a little bit more and give ourselves more chances to score goals and I think we’ve found that balance much better this year,” Heaton added.

“You’ve got to try and get it right and the lads have created a lot of opportunities and put them in the back of the net.”

On the improved goals for tally the skipper added: “It’s a good stat, it’s a cause of a bit more quality in the team and finding that balance better than we were,” he said.