BURNLEY manager Sean Dyche and captain Ben Mee admit they are baffled by James Tarkowski's England omission.

Despite starring for the Clarets last season - playing every minute of every game to help the team to a 10th placed Premier League finish - the 27-year-old was not included in Gareth Southgate's squads for Nations League fixtures with Iceland and Denmark.

Harry Maguire, Joe Gomez, Tyrone Mings and former Burnley defender Michael Keane were picked ahead of Tarkowski in the initial selection.

Even when Maguire was withdrawn, the England manager opted to give a first call-up to Wolves captain Conor Coady, who made his debut in tonight's lacklustre goalless draw in Copenhagen.

And both Dyche and Mee revealed the decision not to include Tarkowski had made for much head-scratching.

"With Tarky, like a number of people in the game, on this occasion (we) were amazed he was not in the England squad," said the Burnley boss.

"I have a good relationship with Gareth Southgate and it is not easy to make those decisions on who you are calling up.

"On this occasion it was the most surprised I have been with Tarky that he has not been involved in the England set up for this set of games."

Tarkowski's central defensive partner Mee was just as puzzled by his team-mate's omission.

“It does seem strange. For me Tarky was head and shoulders above most of the England centre halves last season, playing every game – every minute," said the Clarets skipper.

"He’s been fantastic.

“I know he was disappointed not to be in the England squad and I was disappointed for him.

“He should be in there for sure going off form and ability. He’s right up there."

Mee, who has been knocking on the England door himself in recent seasons, added: “There’s obviously more that we can do otherwise we’d be in there and playing.

“We’ve had some good form over the past couple of years and have a good partnership together. We’ve been trying to do everything we can to get in there.

“Tarky’s had a taste of it and wants more of it and wants to be in there, as do I as well.

“We work towards it, we keep working hard and try to grow as a player and progress as a player each year. If it happens it happens, for myself anyway. Tarky’s a bit younger than me and is probably in the fold a little bit more than myself.

“For me Tarky should be in there all day long."