Does Heaton deserve England call-up?

By Sam Hardwell,

@HardwellSam

Current Burnley shot-stopper Tom Heaton earns surprise England call-up after having his Premier League dream short lived after just a single season in the top flight with the Clarets.

Heaton and his Burnley side conceded 53 goals in the 14-15 Premier League season, but England boss Roy Hodgson has overlooked the statistics and has stuck by his decision to call-up the Chester born goalkeeper.

Heaton finds his name alongside a more experienced England pairing between the sticks in both Robert Green and Joe Hart, which indicates minutes maybe limited for the ex-Cardiff and Bristol City keeper. However, he has described the call-up as “indescribable”.

“It’s been a dream of mine since I was a little kid and pretty much everything since I started playing has been geared towards trying to get there.

“Sometimes it’s difficult to see the wood for the trees when you got relegated, but it certainly feels a long way away from that feeling now.”

Heaton praised by Burnley gaffer Sean Dyche

The former Manchester United youth product will be no stranger to a Wembley appearance, if in Hodgson’s future plans, after making an incredible 2012 Carling Cup Final performance for his former Cardiff City side against Liverpool.

It was Heaton himself who helped the Bluebirds on their way to Wembley with two penalty saves in the semi-final versus now Premier League side Crystal Palace.

Heaton proved to be a real pest between the sticks for penalty takers, as he frustrated Liverpool legend Steven Gerrard in the shoot-out with a stupendous save… Maybe something England require in their woeful penalty shoot-out record?

Heaton will now take matters into his own hands (literally) when England travel to the Republic of Ireland on June 7th.

The friendly will be a chance for new comers such as Heaton to make a claim for their place in the XI, as the squad then travel to Slovenia on June 14th in a European Championship Qualifier.

QPR forward Charlie Austin and Leicester’s Luke Vardy have also been selected in Roy Hodgson’s XI.

All three players will be looking to impress in order to consolidate their places for their beloved country.

Does Heaton deserve England call-up?