Clarets skipper Heaton named in England Euro 2016 squad

Hodgson unveiled his provisional 26-strong pool for France at 11 a.m. at Wembley, with Heaton named as his third-choice goalkeeper, behind Joe Hart of Manchester City, and Southampton’s Fraser Forster.


It is now anticipated that Heaton will make his full England debut in one the three remaining friendly games in preparation for the Euros, as the Three Lions take on Turkey at Manchester City on Sunday, before hosting Australia in Sunderland on May 27th.


They will return to Wembley to face Portugal on June 2nd, before flying over to France for the tournament.


Heaton would become the first Burnley player since 1974 to earn a senior England cap since Martin Dobson in 1974 should he play some part in the warm-up games.


Dobson picked up his fourth cap against Yugoslavia in June 1974.


Heaton earned his first call up in May last year for the friendly with the Republic of Ireland and Euro 2016 qualifier against Slovenia, and was named in the three subsequent squads, as well as a get-together at St George’s Park last month.


However, he was omitted from the original squad last time around for the friendlies with Germany and Holland, after the return to fitness of Forster, before he earned a recall when Hart picked up an injury in the Manchester derby.


Heaton has previous international experience from Under 16 to Under 21 level with England.


Speaking before the squad was announced, at last Monday’s civic reception following Burnley’s Championship title success, Heaton spoke of his England selection hopes: “It’s great to be in the mix. I wanted to be there, it was out of my control.”


Asked what it would mean to get the nod, he admitted: “It would be incredible, unbelievable.


“It’s difficult to put into words.


“You go there ready to kick-on, do a job and give everything you’ve got.


“It’s another great opportunity.


“It will be fantastic.”


Heaton has been involved in the squad as they qualified from Group E with 10 wins from 10 games, and he feels the squad are capable of making an impact in France: “It’s been a fantastic qualifying campaign, I was fortunate to be involved in a bit of that.


“It’s an incredible group of players, I think it’s an exciting time to be an England fan.”


The full list of players to win an England cap while at Burnley is: John Angus, William Bannister, Tommy Boyle, Jack Bruton, Ralph Coates, John Connelly, James Crabtree, Jerry Dawson, Martin Dobson,Billy Elliott, Bert Freeman, Gordon Harris, Jack Hill, Jack Hillman, Bob Kelly, Colin McDonald, Brian Miller, Eddie Mosscrop, Louis Page, Brian Pilkington, Ray Pointer, George Waterfield, Willie Watson and Jack Yates.