NICK Pope has hailed the influence of Clarets goalkeeping coach Billy Mercer on his game.

Pope's progress at Turf Moor has seen him earn a place in the England squad for the World Cup, with the Three Lions getting their campaign underway tonight against Tunisia.

It's been a remarkable rise for the 26-year-old, who joined Burnley two years ago from Charlton in a £1million deal. Tom Heaton's shoulder injury in September handed Pope the chance to impress and he enjoyed a season to remember, winning the player of the year honour with the Clarets and keeping his place when Heaton returned.

Mercer has now helped turn Pope and Heaton into England goalkeepers, with both arriving at Turf Moor after seasons in which they had been relegated from the Championship.

Of Mercer's influence on his own game, Pope said: "I’ve been on the phone to him a lot. As soon as I came in the building he helped me settle in and has given me all his experience and coaching to help me improve, especially when I first got in the team.

"We’d sit down every week after the game and watch the videos and talk about certain things and have discussions, that only helps me as a player grow.

"He’s someone who has helped me massively."