FOUR years ago Kieran Trippier was watching the World Cup in Ramsbottom as England suffered a group stage exit in Brazil.

The right-back had just been part of Burnley's first promotion campaign under Sean Dyche and while the Clarets have gone from strength to strength since the same can be said of Trippier.

After 185 appearances for the club Trippier left Turf Moor to join Tottenham in the summer of 2015 and having taken Kyle Walker's place at Spurs the 27-year-old has swapped Ramsbottom for Russia.

Trippier looks set to start for the Three Lions when their World Cup campaign begins against Tunisia on Monday and he'll be backed from the family house again, with dad Chris flying his traditional England flag in the back garden.

"I watched it at my Dad's house, we had a big screen in his garden," Trippier said of the 2014 tournament.

"I only made my debut for England against France last year so to be here now is great. I've worked hard all season with Tottenham and I'm just delighted to be here."

Trippier has won just seven England caps but heads into the 2018 World Cup as Gareth Southgate's first choice right-wing-back following Walker's move to a three-man central defensive.

While Nick Pope will be flying the flag for Burnley in Russia there will be plenty of Claret eyes trained on Trippier as well following his four years of fine service.

His forays down the right flank were a regular sight at Turf Moor and he now has plenty of creative licence for England in Southgate's 3-5-2 system.

"I try and get forward as much as I can and I try to create as much as I can. The 3-5-2 formation is the perfect system for me, the manager wants to play that and I think we've done well," he said.

"When you play a 3-5-2 you've got the number eight so it's like a diamond. Every time you get the ball you know that there's an option or a solution for you there. I think the team has done really well and now we're looking forward to next week."

After facing Tunisia England play Panama before finishing the group on Sunday, June 24 with a clash against Belgium and some of Trippier's Tottenham teammates in Toby Alderweireld, Jan Vertonghen and Moussa Dembele.

"There was a lot of banter as soon as the groups were named," Trippier joked. "The lads at Tottenham are top lads and we're looking forward to meeting each other but hopefully we can get one over on them."