TOM Heaton believes England are in a golden age for goalkeeping but the Clarets stopper is relishing the challenge of battling for a place in Gareth Southgate’s World Cup squad.

Heaton insists consistent performances for Burnley are the key to securing a place on the plane to Russia next summer, but he will face fierce competition with Joe Hart, Fraser Forster, Jack Butland and Jordan Pickford also eyeing spots in England’s 23-man squad.

Burnley’s number one made his first Three Lions start against France in June, taking him to three caps in total, but he admits you can never feel secure in an England squad given the competition.

Southgate selected four keepers for his June squad, and Pickford will be keen to press his case this season after a £30million move to Everton, and Heaton believes the battle for places can bring the best out of the fab five.

“I think it’s is strong, they’re all fantastic goalkeepers,” he said. “That competition will only breed more success and get more out of people.

“I, for one, am looking forward to the challenge and I think it will help the younger lads coming through.

“Hopefully the goalkeeping department will go from strength to strength. It’s brilliant to be part of that and I’m embracing the challenge of being part of it.”

Despite the competition Heaton said the goalkeepers union remains strong, and he is focusing on his own game, insisting there is plenty to improve on despite a memorable 2016/17 campaign.

“Personally I get on with all of them. I truly wish them all the best,” the 31-year-old said of his England rivals.

“I try to have an intrinsic mentality: it’s about what I do not what others do, as that can serve as a distraction. Keep trying to raise the bar, keep trying to get better and see where it gets me. There’s plenty to work on, just ask the manager!

“I thoroughly enjoyed last season but you draw a line under that, this is a new season and there’s quite a few things to work on. I feel I’ve quite a lot to give in terms of getting better. That’s the challenge. My dad always used to say to me ‘if you’re not moving forward, you’re moving back’. I’ve always got the mind to try and develop.”

Despite June’s 2-2 draw with Scotland the Three Lions remain top of their qualifying group and on course to make next year’s World Cup, and during this season thoughts will inevitably turn to squad selection for Russia and England’s chances.

“I think the World Cup at the end of the season doesn’t go away but to have a chance of being involved in that you have to performance week in, week out,” Heaton added.

“To do that, putting in the good days, not think too far ahead of too far behind, hopefully that will stand me a good chance of being involved. That’s certainly the ambition.”

Of his start in the friendly in France, Heaton said: “It was massive. To pull on the number one shirt, sing the national anthem, incredible. It’s what you dream of starting out. I loved every minute of it.”

His next chance to win cap number four will come in September’s games with Malta and Slovakia, but the former Manchester United youngster isn’t taking a place in the squad for granted.

“I don’t think any player should ever feel comfortable,” he said. “At that level it’s about being the best in the country at that moment in time.

“Having been involved for two years it’s been fantastic, getting my first cap, playing 45 minutes at Wembley, getting that first start this summer. The one thing it does do is give you hunger for more and I’ve certainly got that ambition and get more of it.

“I don’t think there’s any given right to pull on that England shirt or be in the squad.”