ANYONE know the last time three Burnley players featured on the pitch at the same time for England?

I’ve done some digging myself but haven’t been able to find the answer.

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On Thursday night at the Turf then we possibly witnessed history in the making as Danny Ings, Michael Keane and – a little bit later – Nathaniel Chalobah pulled on the Three Lions shirt for an Under 21s friendly against Portugal.

And what a wonderful occasion it was.

Ings, given the nod up front by boss Gareth Southgate in front of his own fans, didn’t disappoint, scoring two and perhaps a little unlucky not to have grabbed a hat-trick in a very good display.

Keane – yet to have the chance to impress in claret and blue – looked solid and composed at the back while Chalobah show plenty of strength in the middle of the park after coming on as a second half substitute.

To be honest I was more impressed with the Young Lions than I have been with the senior side in recent times.

They passed with purpose, carved open a number of chances in the opening exchanges and looked generally very comfortable as a group.

It was great to see so many people turn out for the game although my mate Andy’s decision to sit in the Jimmy Mac upper – the family stand – soon backfired as we were surrounded by hundreds of kids all blowing those vuvuzela things!

I can’t say I’m a fan of the horns but the youngsters seemed happy and if we can convert some of them into regular attendees for Burnley games then the sanity of us grumpy old duffers is worth sacrificing!

In terms of the impact for Ings, the two goals will have done him the world of good.

He struggled for goals in the Premier League – although he’s looking increasingly sharp since coming back from injury – but getting two in front of his own fans will just help lift the weight off his shoulders a little.

One great football cliché is whether a player can stick it on a cold Tuesday night in Stoke.

Well, next Saturday we travel to the Potteries in search of a second Premier League win on the bounce.

Mark Hughes has got them playing some very good football and a couple of big names have already come unstuck against them, not to mention reigning champions Manchester City.

But, with most of the lads having enjoyed a rest over the international break, I see no reason why we can’t cause an upset.

We’ve a decent enough record there and I hope that continues at the weekend!