NICK Pope believes the timing of his dislocated shoulder could have been 'a lot worse' as he targets a December return.

The Clarets goalkeeper came back down to earth with a bang after returning from England duty in the World Cup this summer, suffering the injury in the Europa League second qualifying round first leg with Aberdeen at Pittodrie.

That happened just days after he returned to pre-season and he was only playing in Scotland as a result of a calf injury to Tom Heaton, but Pope is taking a phlegmatic view of the injury and pointed out that it had happened last season it would have been a much bigger blow to him.

“I’m looking at December hopefully," the 26-year-old said.

“Everything since the surgery has gone really well.

“It was a bit of a challenge and it popped out the front.

“I was laying on the physio table at the stadium and they had a go at popping it back in, but they couldn’t do it after four attempts.

“If anything sums football up, it’s probably that.

"You’re riding off the high of the 10 months beforehand and being part of a World Cup squad, and then it’s a blow within 15 minutes and you’re on the floor and there’s nothing you can do.

“It’s something that’s happened now, and the only thing I can do is get on with it.

“People will say it’s bad timing or whatever, but, for me, it could have been a lot worse.

“What if it had happened in January or February or whenever?

“Then I’m not going to the World Cup, I’m not finishing the season.

“If I had done it when I made my debut against Palace, or the next week against Liverpool, then none of that season happens.

“Or if I had done it in my first season at Burnley, then the next season probably doesn’t happen either.

“It’s just one of those things, and whether it’s good or bad timing, you never really know."

Heaton suffered a dislocated shoulder injury last September against Crystal Palace which handed Pope his first team chance.

The club captain was back in matchday squads by April and Pope has revealed his injury won't be season-ending and he is likely to be fit again sooner than Heaton, who suffered several complications, was.

He could have a challenge to win his place back following the £4million summer signing of Joe Hart, while Heaton has also now returned to first team action, but Pope is spending his time out to focus on improving his own game.

“It’s a new challenge for myself, and that’s the way I’ve got to look at it, and make sure I come back flying," he said.

“It’s a setback, but it’s not the end of the world.

“It’s not season-ending, it’s just something that’s happened and it’s time out to concentrate on working on my game. I can still work on myself and things I could have done better.”