DANNY Ings says he is hungry to impress for the England under 21s and step up to Roy Hodgson’s senior squad – as he prepares to join Liverpool on July 1.

The Reds announced Ings’ capture earlier this week and the striker has again paid tribute to Burnley supporters as he departs at the end of his Turf Moor contract.

“It’s been a fantastic four years,” Ings said.

“The fans, staff and players stuck by me so it was a fantastic experience and I appreciate everything.”

Ings and Clarets defender Michael Keane are currently preparing for an England under 21 friendly against Belarus at Barnsley’s Oakwell ground tonight, kick-off 7.45pm.

The duo have been training at St George’s Park, where Burnley goalkeeper Tom Heaton has also been based with the England senior squad.

Ings says being in and around the full squad has made him hungry to step up in the near future.

He will be ineligible for the under 21s after the European Under 21 Championships later this month.

“Of course it makes you hungry,” Ings told Clarets Player.

“Getting called up at any level is massive in your career and it’s been good to watch the seniors and see what it’s all about.

“We’ve got a friendly now coming up in the build-up to the tournament that we’re looking forward to.”

England will travel to the Czech Republic in the coming days, ready to play their first game at the tournament against Portugal in a week’s time.

Gareth Southgate’s under 21s have been installed as second favourites for the tournament behind Germany, and Ings is happy with that status.

“You just look at the qualifying games, how well we’ve dominated games and how well we’ve performed as a team,” he said.

“It’s good to go into tournaments as favourites because it sends out a message to everyone else that they’ve got to be careful with the threats we’ve got.”

Ings joked that he had been snubbed by good friend Heaton since both arrived at St George’s Park.

Asked how Heaton was doing, Ings said: “I don’t know, he’s ignored me the whole time he’s been here!

“No he’s good, I think he’s settling in well, he’s been like a kid in the playground.”

Ings has been rooming with Keane on under 21 duty, and the defender says England are fully prepared for the Belarus game and the tournament ahead.

“We’ve played against most styles of play now, against teams who can pop it around and against teams who can try to turn you with the big man up front,” Keane said.

“I think we’re well prepared for everything and looking forward to it.”

Keane has previously featured at centre back and at right back for Southgate’s under 21s.

“I’m definitely a centre half but when I was younger I did play right back as well,” he said.

“I can play a few different positions and that can only help me get game time.

“Everyone in the squad is going to get game. Not many players are going to start every game, he’s going to chop and change it so I’ll be ready to start wherever he wants me to.”

England are also in a group with Sweden and Italy at the European Championships.

The final takes place on June 30, less than 24 hours before Burnley are scheduled to return for pre-season training.

Whether they progress that far or not, Keane will be given extra time to recharge his batteries before returning for duty with the Clarets.

“We’ve been leading up to this tournament for almost two years now, we’ve been preparing for a while so we can’t wait to get out there,” he said.

“Hopefully afterwards I’ll get a little break and then I’ll come back raring to go for Burnley.”