TOM Heaton is ready to fight for his place in Burnley's goal in pre-season after being reinvigorated by his England call-up.

The Clarets captain has spent the past week-and-a-half training with the Three Lions after being placed on standby for the World Cup.

Heaton's place as back-up goalkeeper was a surprise, with the 32-year-old having not played a competitive game since suffering a dislocated shoulder in September.

But Gareth Southgate backed the former Manchester United man's 'character' when naming him as the only goalkeeper on the standby list and Heaton has relished being involved at St George's Park as England prepare for the World Cup in Russia.

"It’s been really good, it’s nice to be involved in it. It’s been a frustrating season personally, a brilliant one for the club but frustrating personally," he said.

"To have this at the end of it to look forward too, albeit only on standby, I’m delighted to be here and enjoying being a part of it."

Heaton returned to fitness for the Clarets in April but then found his place back into the side blocked by the brilliant form of Nick Pope.

It's Pope that has also taken his place in the England squad, with Heaton looking sure of a spot on the plane to Russia until injury struck.

But the former Clarets No. 1 is delighted for the man who has taken his place and said his performances this season have come as no surprise to him.

"I’m delighted for him. Me and him have a fantastic relationship, we really enjoy each others company and we enjoy competing against each other," Heaton said of Pope.

"He’s been absolutely outstanding this season and he deserves his slot. I’ve enjoyed working with him this week. That starts again in pre-season.

"I’m made up for him to be there and from my point of view I’m enjoying being part of it and looking forward to locking horns again next season.

"It’s no surprise (how well he’s done) for us inside the building, we saw it day in and day out. You just need the platform to do it sometimes and he got that when I got injured. He took his opportunity and hasn’t looked back. It’s a great story for him and a great journey he’s been on."

Asked whether he was looking to lay down a challenge to Pope in pre-season, Heaton added: "That is what it is, I speaks for itself. I don’t want to not play, he doesn’t want to not play.

"That’s the situation, you can’t come away from that. I’ve missed most of this year from my point of view I don’t want to miss much more, I’d imagine he feels the same."

Heaton had been Burnley's undisputed first choice and a Turf Moor favourite until injury struck, and he admits he felt any chance of being involved in the World Cup had gone when he could only return to the bench behind Pope towards the end of the season.

"I think so, towards the end of the season especially when you haven’t played a bulk of games to give yourself a chance," he said.

"I was trying to accelerate as fast as sensibly possible to give myself a chance, unfortunately it wasn’t to be.

"To get that phone call from the manager I was absolutely delighted and really pleased to be in and around it.

"This week so far and hopefully next week has given me a foundation to build into next season as well, hopefully I can hit the ground running."

It's also given Heaton renewed determination to add to his own haul of Three Lions caps, which currently stands at three.

"I’ve said all along my ambition is to kick on and get more caps under by belt," he said.

"It’s a platform to do that. I’ve got to be ready in case anything happens but if it doesn’t the focus will be on getting back involved after the World Cup."