PROMOTION, 10 Premier League clean sheets, voted player of the season by team-mates, a first England call-up - barring relegation there have been many personal positives for Tom Heaton over the last 16 months.

He describes his international experience as: “Brilliant. Top drawer. Everything I expected and more.”

Heaton did not get any game time in June’s matches with Republic of Ireland and Slovenia, but simply being involved in the set-up, working with Joe Hart, Robert Green and goalkeeping coach Dave Watson on the training ground is something that he feels will contribute to growth in his game.

The chances of him earning an international recall have, in theory, been lessened by a return to the Championship, but that did not prevent the stopper from signing a new three-year contract with the Clarets, two years after joining and 12 months on from agreeing an extension.

Heaton sees his future at Turf Moor, and one that he is confident will continue to be bright.

“We’re looking like we’re going to be able to mount a really good challenge next season with the squad and everything we’ve got here,” he said.

“That’s building for the future.

“There’s an immediate aim but there’s a long-term plan as well - at least it certainly looks that way, which I think is exactly the right way to do.

“We’re in a great position to mount a serious title challenge this season.

“I want to be a big part of that.I want to make sure we’re in the Premier League next year, and that’s where we’re at.

“You can feel the appetite. It’s important we start strongly and keep that momentum going.

“You can certainly see since we came back for pre-season that there’s a real endeavour to keep moving it forward.”

And in the process, Heaton is hoping to sustain international interest.

“The manager was great, as was the goalkeeper coach,” said the 29-year-old.

“The whole thing was fantastic. The standard was brilliant and I really enjoyed it.

“I’m just hungry to get back there. That’s certainly the ambition.

“I think it’s always going to be tough playing in the Championship getting into the England squad.

“But there’s a never say never attitude, that would be my take on it.

“And it gives us added impetus to get back there next season.

“In reality I think we all know to get into the England squad you probably have to be playing at the top level. I’m fully aware of that.

“I’ll be striving to get better this year, still trying to perform as best I can and looking to get this club back into the Premier League.”