Tom Heaton set to challenge Nick Pope, says Burnley boss Sean Dyche
Thursday 5 April 2018 15:16, UK
Burnley boss Sean Dyche has revealed Tom Heaton is close to full fitness but refused to confirm if the England international will return to his starting line-up at the expense of Nick Pope.
Heaton is in contention to start against Watford on Saturday after recovering from a long-term shoulder injury, although the impressive form of Pope leaves Dyche with a potential selection headache ahead of the trip to Vicarage Road.
Anders Lindegaard is another option after committing his future to the Clarets by signing a contract extension on Thursday and, with fourth-choice shot-stopper Adam Legzdins also waiting in the wings, Dyche now has an embarrassment of riches in the goalkeeping department.
"I don't think it is difficult to balance," said Dyche. "Tom knows the job, as does Anders and [Adam] Legzdins behind them. Goalies know the script.
"Whether you're first choice, second choice or fighting to get involved, that is just the lie of the land with goalkeepers.
"Pope is doing nicely, he's playing well and having a good season. Tom has been a fantastic servant over time and Anders and Legz are still looking to earn their spurs here."
When asked if his comments suggested Pope would remain the first-choice goalkeeper at Turf Moor, Dyche said: "No, it just means that there are four very good goalkeepers - two obvious ones. Nick has currently got the shirt, it is my decision if that continues over the season."
Dyche enjoyed a short spell in charge of Watford before joining Burnley in 2012 and the Clarets boss believes his former employers have shown real signs of progress under new boss Javi Gracia.
"They have a new manager and they seem to have responded," he said. "They have some good players.
"They have so many players coming through that they have to mould and remould but that's just the way they work.
"And now another new manager, but they seem to be getting it together. They seem like they are finding the right balance of being effective and not conceding goals. Another good outfit in the Premier League.
"We've moved forward but not enough to start thinking that we're better than everyone else every week. We know it will be a challenge.
"It is a good club and I certainly think they will be in the Premier League next season."
Dyche could come up against his former striker Andre Gray, who joined the Hornets in a £18m move from Turf Moor in the summer.
Gray has scored just four Premier League goals since joining Watford but Dyche believes his dip in form could be down to the transient situation at Vicarage Road.
"He was in a stable situation here and he had been at Brentford, and even before at Luton," said Dyche.
"Watford is a different kind of club. They change managers which everybody knows about, they change playing staff. The style changes if the manager changes. It's difficult for players.
"Everyone expects everything to work straight away. He is a fantastic player, I hope over time he will show it down there."
