BURNLEY midfielder Richard Chaplow intends to use tomorrow's England U20 clash with Holland as a springboard for a leap up the international ranks.

Chaplow is hoping for a start in Nigel Pearson's first game in charge of the U20s, at Huddersfield Town's Galpharm Stadium tomorrow lunchtime.

And the highly-rated Clarets teenager, one of the most experienced campaigners in the squad, has designs on breaking back into the England U21 scene in the near future.

Chaplow, whose only U21 cap so far ironically came against Holland earlier this year, said: "Fingers crossed I can get a starting place and keep pushing towards the U21s.

"I just can't seem to get into that team at the moment. I had thought I might sneak another call up, but it's still nice to be called up for the U20s and it keeps my name in the frame.

"I just have to keep going and hopefully I will get another chance in the U21s sooner or later."

Reflecting on the U21 cap he earned in February, before Peter Taylor replaced David Platt as manager, Chaplow added: "Obviously things have changed at the top and Peter is in charge again now.

"It was lovely being involved, but I can't get too far ahead of myself.

"At the end of the day, it's my form for Burnley that will give me that chance for England."

Chaplow has grown in stature as the Clarets season has progressed. Club boss Steve Cotterill has already hinted that a whole season in central midfield may well prove too much for a player still on a steep learning curve.

But the Accrington-born midfield dynamo, given his Burnley bow by Stan Ternent, is confident he is progressing on schedule under Cotterill's tutelage.

He said: "I feel I've started the season pretty well. I feel a lot stronger and fitter than last year - mainly through maturing as a player and learning when to use my energy and when not to.

"My whole game is starting to come together and I feel I'm learning more and more with every game.

"Obviously I am still improving, but under the new gaffer and his coaching staff and all the drills they have put on, I am improving all the time."