PLAYERS’ player of the year Tom Heaton says Burnley’s close run in the Premier League has served to fuel the Clarets’ hunger to get back there.

Sean Dyche’s side suffered the drop with two games to go, but seven points from their last three games meant they were ultimately within just two wins of safety, missing out on 17th place by five points.

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Three clean sheets in a row took their tally of shut-outs to 10 for the season - a factor in Heaton last week receiving his first call-up to a senior England squad.

The 29-year-old will join up with Roy Hodgson’s 24-man squad for games against the Republic of Ireland, in a friendly in Dublin, and their Euro 2016 qualifier with Slovenia.

But beyond that Heaton feels the solid foundations Burnley laid in their promotion and Premier League seasons will stand them in good stead as they bid to regain their place back in the top flight.

“That foundation of being hard to beat is something we started very early on and it’s been vital,” said the stopper.

“I think we’ve done really well. Obviously we’re disappointed to go down, especially considering how close we went, but we can take these positive things into next season and gain some momentum.

“We said all year we’ve not been cut adrift or been poor. There are an awful lot of positives to take from it.

“We certainly feel like we are building something special and that goes into starting again next year.”

Danny Ings will leave this summer after four years at Turf Moor, while players including Kieran Trippier and Jason Shackell have been linked with moves elsewhere following relegation.

There has been speculation also about Heaton’s future following his England call-up, but having left Manchester United in search of first team football five years ago after progressing through the club’s youth ranks, he admits his priority is still to play.

“The important thing is to be playing every week,” he said.

“Obviously you want to play at the top level, especially now I’ve had a taste of it. The hunger is certainly there to get back there.

“That’s how everyone feels and we’re all excited to get back there.”