Tom Heaton admits he may have to quit Burnley in January in search of first-team football after horror shoulder injury
The shot-stopper has had a frustrating year after his horror injury led to Burnley bringing in reinforcements while he was sidelined
TOM HEATON will keep his options open in January, as first-team football is hard to come by at Burnley with three keepers on rotation.
The 32-year-old suffered a horror shoulder injury last September and since then he’s fallen down the pecking order for both club and country.
The Burnley captain dislocated his shoulder at the start of last season, as his side hosted Crystal Palace.
Coming back from such an awful injury, for a keeper, has proven tough for the former England keeper whose family are life-long Burnley fans.
Speaking to the , he said: “I’m a prime example of how fortunes can change. At the moment, I’m on the wrong side of it.
“Just 16 months ago, I was starting for England against France in the Stade de France. With everything that has happened, that now feels like a long time ago.”
He was Sean Dyche‘s first permanent signing as Burnley manager, when he arrived at Turf Moor in 2013.
And began last season as Dyche’s number one, but his shoulder injury in September kept him out of action until April.
Nick Pope then stood between the sticks which pushed Heaton down the pecking order in the England squad.
But Heaton admitted that Pope had a ‘fantastic season’ after replacing him and accepted being pushed to the standby squad for the World Cup in Russia.
He said: “Pope was rightly named player of the year, he’d also broken into the England squad- that’s the way football works. I couldn’t have any complaints about that.
“I had to accept not being in the World Cup squad, but then delighted to be placed on standby.”
Heaten was released before the tournament in Russia and said it was ‘difficult to watch the World Cup games’.
He added: “It was tough because you’re desperate to be involved, but at the same time you are an England fan.”
As pre-season training kicked off, Heaton was determined to prove himself, but a calf injury resulted in him sitting out of the Europa League game where Burnley’s other choice keeper stood in.
Pope then suffered a similar fate and with the pair both sidelined Joe Hart came into the frame.
Fear of overcrowding has since set in, Heaton said: “It doesn’t need a rocket scientist to see that it’s going to be difficult to fit us all in.
“Come the January transfer window, I’ve got to keep my options open.
“The one thing I’ve been consistent about in my career is moving clubs in order to play games.”
Heaton’s career has seen him move to various parts of the country in pursuit of first-team football.
The Burnley keeper began his career with Manchester United, spending spells on loan at Swindon Town, Royal Antwerp, Cardiff City, QPR, Rochdale and Wycombe Wanderers.
A permanent move to the Welsh capital came in 2010, where he made 40 appearances.
Which included stand-out performances in the 2011/12 League Cup where he saved a penalty in the semi’s and one of Steven Gerrard’s attempts in the final.
He then moved to Bristol City in 2012, but was unable to halt their relegation to League one and as a result signed a two-year deal with Burnley.
