MICHAEL Keane has praised the influence of Tom Heaton in the Clarets dressing room and hailed his England colleague as ‘the best captain I’ve ever played with’.

Heaton took the armband at Turf Moor ahead of the 2015/16 Championship winning campaign and after lifting a trophy in his first year in the job he has helped Burnley to Premier League survival this time around.

While his influence on the pitch is clear to see, with a string of stunning saves and fine performances earning him the club’s player of the year award, Keane believes the 31-year-old is just as important off the pitch.

“He’s the best captain I’ve ever played with, he’s a huge influence,” said Keane. “He’s the spokesman for the lads, as you would expect the captain to be, but it doesn’t always work that way.

“He’s someone anyone can go to, if you’re a young lad you can go and speak to him and he will give you some advice. If you’re struggling he will talk to you and see what’s wrong and try and bring you back up.”

Heaton was alongside Keane when the latter earned his first England call-up in March, winning his first two caps against Germany and Lithuania, and the centre back described his more experienced teammate as being like a ‘rock’ during his first experience of the Three Lions set-up.

Keane’s calf injury has kept him out of England duty this month, but Heaton will hope to win a third cap against Scotland or France with praise from the former Manchester United youngster ringing in his ears.

“He’s been brilliant with everyone, the young lads, the older lads. In the meantime he’s been one of our best players as well so you can’t ask for much more,” Keane added.

The duo have been part of a settled defensive unit for the Clarets this season, with Heaton, Keane, Ben Mee, Matt Lowton and Stephen Ward all starting at least 34 of Burnley’s 38 Premier League games.

“That has given us a good platform to go and play, we’ve had a steady back five all season until recent weeks,” said Keane.

“I think Ben has been unbelievable next to me, I give him huge credit and he’s been fantastic to play with for the last two years, but as well Wardy and Lowts have been terrific all season.

“I think we’ve all improved as the season has gone on. We’ve helped each other out and we’ve got stronger and more confident.”

And Keane believes the fact the defence has been settled has helped Burnley to Premier League survival.

“I think that helps as a defender,” he said. “You’re always communicating with each other.

“When you’re training and you know you’re going to play with these players next to you you will go and speak to them about tactics or if something goes wrong in training.

“If you don’t know what team you’re going to be playing with then you might not and go and say something.

“We do a lot of unit work on the training ground and I that showed when Tarky and Longy have come in recently, they’ve been brilliant, and Flanno as well against Palace.

“All the defenders have worked really hard this year but it is nice to play in a settled back four and I think it helps.”