JAMES Tarkowski will be keeping an eye on England's World Cup squad announcement on Wednesday, but admits his dream of representing the Three Lions in a major tournament didn't seem realistic until this season.

The centre back had started just four Premier League games a year ago, the last four of last season as he filled in for the injured Michael Keane, whose departure in the summer saw Tarkowski become a regular at Turf Moor.

Sean Dyche showed faith in Tarkowski as the man to replace Keane and that has been rewarded, with the 25-year-old one of the Clarets star men this season.

His form saw him earn a first England cap in March, playing the full 90 minutes at Wembley against Italy, and Tarkowski is hoping he has done enough to be part of Gareth Southgate's 23-man squad for the World Cup in Russia.

"I’m hoping so, fingers crossed. There’s not much I can do now, I’ve done all the work I can," he said.

"I’ll have a little break this week and if I’m in it terrific, it will be great to be a part of. If not it will be an opportunity to get some rest.

"From last summer I was nowhere near the squad, so to even be in with a chance of making the squad is nice. I’ll see what happens."

Tarkowski grew up dreaming of a major tournament with England, but as he fought to the top via spells in League One with Oldham and the Championship with Brentford, it didn't look like something that would be achievable this early.

"It’s always a dream more than anything, it never seems realistic," he said. "To get to that place where you have that opportunity is nice but I don’t want to stop where I am now, I want to be a part of it."

Even if Tarkowski doesn't get the call this week, he could find himself a regular part of the Three Lions set-up sooner rather than later.

"I think age is on my side. I’m still only 25 so there should hopefully be another opportunity if it’s not this summer," he said.

"But for now I’ll get a weeks rest and go from there, either look forward to next season here or a busy summer."

As an England fan growing up Tarkowski's World Cup memories tend to be disappointing ones.

The first tournament he can remember is the 2002 World Cup in Japan and South Korea and England's exit to Brazil.

"Brazil beating England, Ronaldinho over Seaman. I don’t remember having much success watching England in World Cups," Tarkowski lamented.

"It would nice to be there and hopefully do well."

Tarkowski isn't the only Claret in with a chance of making Southgate's squad. Jack Cork won his first England cap in November, while Nick Pope was in the last squad with Tarkowski.

Tom Heaton is also back fit and Tarkowski believes he could yet be in with an outside chance of making it, having been in all of Southgate's squads until his shoulder injury in September.

But his path back to the Burnley side has been blocked by Pope, who was voted players' player of the year last week.

"He’s been terrific from start to finish. From the game he came on in against Crystal Palace, he made two or three brilliant saves there," Tarkowski said.

"He’s just progressed and progressed and he’s been a pleasure to play with."