TOM Heaton has his eyes fixed on an England return after playing a starring role for Burnley since returning to the Clarets side.

The 32-year-old came in for his first Premier League appearance of the season against West Ham in December and helped Sean Dyche’s side to a 2-0 win.

They have not looked back since, stringing together a seven-game unbeaten run in the top flight to climb out of the bottom three ahead of this weekend’s home game against Spurs.

Heaton, who impressed with a series of key saves in the victory at Brighton last time out, has been key to that revival and the goalkeeper admits he would love to force his way back into Gareth Southgate’s Three Lions squad ahead of next month’s internationals.

The Clarets captain has three caps for his country but missed out to team-mate Nick Pope for a place in the World Cup squad, although he was called up by Southgate for the training squad prior to the tournament.

Heaton’s last international appearance came against France in June 2017 and he admits he would love to be involved when Southgate names his squad for Euro 2020 qualifiers against the Czech Republic and Montenegro in March.

“I’m not trying to forecast it but obviously I harbour ambitions to be back involved,” said Heaton of his England ambitions.

“I can’t shy away from that but there’s a lot of water to go under the bridge yet.

“What’s important for me is to stay focussed day in, day out, get the performances right and see where that takes me.

“I’ve always had a massive hunger for that (international football) and I’ve always harboured ambitions.

“It’s certainly a goal of mine but I’m very conscious of not getting carried away and I’m focussing on what’s right in front of me at the minute. To get back in would be good, it would be very good.”

Asked if he would be sending Southgate a tape of his performance against the Seagulls 10 days ago, Heaton added: “There’ll be none of that going on. Obviously I’m hoping he’ll pick it up but if he doesn’t, he doesn’t. I’ve just got to make sure that I’m ready to go again.”

Heaton missed most of last season after suffering a shoulder injury at Crystal Palace in September.

Pope came into the Clarets side and impressed enough to earn international recognition of his own before he too was ruled out with injury.

That prompted Dyche to sign Joe Hart, who started the season as Burnley No.1, and with all three goalkeepers now fit Heaton knows he has a battle on his hands to keep hold of his shirt, even if the trio all get along.

“They’ve been great,” Heaton said. “We all know the nature of the business and as goalkeepers there is only one of us playing.

“Their support has been fantastic and I’d like to think that I was like that when it was the other way around.

“It’s certainly difficult because they both want to play, you can’t get away from that, but it’s just normal football business.

“Unfortunately everyone can’t play but they’ve both been absolutely fantastic.”