Dyche proud of Heaton call-up

21 May 2015 17:47

Sean Dyche paid tribute to goalkeeper Tom Heaton after he became the first Burnley player to receive an England call-up in 41 years.

Heaton, along with fellow uncapped duo Charlie Austin and Jamie Vardy, was named in Roy Hodgson's England squad for next month's games against the Republic of Ireland and Slovenia when it was announced on Thursday.

Not since midfielder Martin Dobson made his debut against Portugal under Sir Alf Ramsey way back in 1974 have the Clarets had a player involved in the England set-up.

For that reason, Dyche was ecstatic at the news, which gives the club a lift two weeks after they were relegated from the Barclays Premier League.

"We are absolutely delighted for Tom. Congratulations go to him because it's a huge thing personally, but also for everyone connected with Burnley Football Club," said the Burnley boss, who signed the former Manchester United trainee in 2013.

"Tom was my first signing for the club, just after he had been relegated to League One with Bristol City, and here we are two years later with an England player in the squad.

"It's a fantastic journey he has been on with us since then. He's been in consistent form pretty much from day one and fully deserves his chance to show that on the international stage."

"Equally, to become the first player from the club to receive an England call up in (over) 40 years is a big sign that we are on the right track as a club."

Like Heaton, QPR forward Austin has also suffered the pain of relegation this season.

The former Burnley striker did everything he could to keep QPR in the Premier League, scoring 17 goals in 35 appearances, but they were relegated a fortnight ago following a 6-0 defeat at Manchester City.

Austin was almost lost for words after being told by QPR director of football Les Ferdinand that he had been called up for the friendly in Dublin on June 7 and the Euro 2016 qualifier in Ljubljana seven days later.

"It's hard to put it into words," Austin told QPR's website.

"I am really pleased that I have been called up. Like everyone else, it's something I dreamt about as a kid - but it's one thing dreaming about it, and something else for it to actually happen.

"I have put in a lot of hard work this year and luckily enough I have been rewarded with this call-up at the end of it.

"As a person and a player I feel I have grown up, both on and off the pitch. I have learnt a lot about myself.

"I have done everything I can to try and get into the squad and now I'm really looking forward to it."

Austin's mother could not hold back the tears when he told her the news at his parents' house in Bournemouth.

"My mum started crying when I told her," he said.

"She was just so pleased and overwhelmed. To be honest, I can't really put into words how I'm feeling, it's not really sunk in yet."

Luckily for Austin, the double-header does not clash with another engagement he has planned this summer - his wedding to his partner Rebecca.

"Don't worry, the wedding is right at the end of the month," he said with a smile.

Leicester, meanwhile, posted a short message on Twitter following Vardy's call-up.

It read: "#lcfc's @vardy7 named in the @england squad for June internationals vs Republic of Ireland and Slovenia. Congratulations Jamie!"

Source: PA