TOM Heaton is hoping he can continue his fine club form for the Clarets next season to put him in the frame for a place in England’s 2018 World Cup squad.

The Three Lions can move a step closer to booking a place in Russia on Saturday when they face Scotland in a qualifier at Hampden Park.

Gareth Southgate’s side are four points clear in Group F and will be looking to do the double over the old enemy this weekend, having won 3-0 at Wembley back in November.

Burnley captain Heaton is one of four goalkeepers in Southgate’s squad for the game in Scotland and Tuesday’s friendly against France in Paris, with the returning Jack Butland also included alongside Joe Hart and Fraser Forster.

Only three goalkeepers would make a 23-man squad for next summer’s World Cup, and with youngster Jordan Pickford also on the scene the competition could be intense.

Heaton admits a place in the squad is in the back of his mind, but he’s hoping another season of heroics at club level can ensure he is part of Southgate’s plans.

“In the cold light of day, its difficult to get away from it,” the 31-year-old said of the 2018 World Cup.

“But the important thing is to try and give myself the best chance of being involved in it, and that comes down to performances.

“Day in, day out, the focus needs to be there, and hopefully you tally up the performances and give yourself a chance.”

Heaton was in fine form in 2016-17 for Burnley, winning Match of the Day’s save of the season competition and producing a string of stunning stops.

But with competition for places intense in the England goalkeeping department, Heaton knows there is no time to rest on his laurels.

“I’ve been involved in pretty much all the squads over the last couple of seasons, which has been fantastic,” added the Turf ace.

“But you can’t take anything for granted, definitely not at international level, very few can do that.

“Rightly so. You work day in, day out, to put the performances in to be in the reckoning.”

Heaton would win a third England cap should he feature against Scotland or France and he admits he is looking forward to a first competitive away clash with the Tartan Army since 1999.

“I enjoyed the one at Wembley, and it will certainly be entertaining up there,” he said.