TOM Heaton still has time on his side to resurrect his World Cup dream, according to Burnley boss Sean Dyche.

The Clarets goalkeeper underwent surgery on his dislocated shoulder on Wednesday, and while it was a success the injury could yet put his chances of making Gareth Southgate’s 23-man squad for next summer’s World Cup in jeopardy.

Heaton, who has three caps for his country, has been in every one of Southgate’s squads so far, but with Joe Hart, Jack Butland, Jordan Pickford and Fraser Forster also in contention for just three goalkeeping spots on the plane to Russia, the Clarets captain may have ground to make up when he does return.

The injury, picked up in last weekend’s win over Crystal Palace, will see the 31-year-old miss internationals in October and November, but Dyche insists he still has time on his side.

“I think he’s still got plenty of time. It will be a longer-term injury but not as in a full season, we hope,” he said.

“I’m sure it crossed his mind quicker than mine, I was just thinking about getting the op done and getting him on the road to recovery.”

Heaton has missed just three league games since joining Burnley in May 2013 and his rise with the Clarets has been meteoric.

Dyche believes that could put this latest blow in perspective for his skipper.

“We won’t want to start going into the realms of luck too much, because Tom is one who has a bit of depth to his thinking on his profession and four and a half years ago he was getting relegated with Bristol City, so he won’t knock it too much,” the Turf boss said.

“But it’s still relative to where you are and I’m sure at this moment there will be thought of ‘how quickly can I get right and when I can be available and up for selection’.”

Heaton picked up a couple of minor niggles last season but is now set for the first lengthy lay-off of his career.

But Dyche believes he will have plenty of support during his recovery and said he will be kept involved while he is away from the training pitch.

“It can be tough,” he said. “I went through it with my back, the longer ones are the tougher ones to take because you can never see the end and it’s a long journey, but like most of our lives when you look back you think it went quite quickly.

“It’s a good environment here and that helps, support from the medics and the sports science team, and from your mates. We’re pretty good I think at keeping players involved, we get them around the dressing room, we’re pretty inclusive with that, they’re part of what is going on.”

Heaton went under the knife on Wednesday, and Dyche added: “It was successful in its immediacy, I’m told that went very well.

“The surgeon, someone we’ve known for a while, did a good job as far as I know. Tom was good afterwards.

“We all know the extent to which Tom’s professionalism goes, and he’s as good as it gets. As regards rehab, as long as the surgery heals properly, which we’ve got no reason to think it won’t, he’ll be on top of that because he’s ultra professional.”

Burnley have had former Manchester United goalkeeper Anders Lindegaard on trial this week following Heaton’s injury and a deal for the 33-year-old could be in the pipeline.

“He’s only just got here, the depth you ideally want is at least three runners and riders, maybe four and five, usually younger, but at least three recognised keepers,” Dyche said.

“He’s certainly recognised, he’s not got a club, and he’s here with us.