TOM Heaton believes he is a better goalkeeper than he was 12 months ago thanks to his experiences with England.

The Clarets captain is yet to make his Three Lions debut but has been in Roy Hodgson’s last five squads.

MORE TOP STORIES:

Heaton was a late call-up for Jack Butland last month after the Stoke goalkeeper fractured his ankle in the 3-2 win in Germany.

Butland’s injury has potentially opened the door for Heaton to make the England squad for Euro 2016, although he faces competition from West Brom’s Ben Foster for the third and final goalkeeping spot.

And despite still waiting for his international debut Heaton thinks working with the national side has helped him develop.

“I’d like to think so,” the 29-year-old said when asked if he felt he had improved since his first call-up in May 2015.

“The natural progression of being around the top players in the country, in that environment, I think it does lift more out of you and I’ve tried to use that and keep getting better all the time. It’s certainly a factor.

“All the lads I’ve come across in the squad have been fantastic. It’s a good competitive environment and a lot of support, it’s been excellent.”

Butland’s injury in Berlin allowed Heaton to come back into the squad for the Wembley defeat to Holland, where he deputised for Southampton’s Fraser Forster.

It was Forster’s cruciate knee ligament injury suffered against Burnley just over a year ago that opened the door for Heaton to earn his first England call.

Butland’s blow has now given the Clarets captain the chance of making the 23-man squad for the European Championships in France.

But for now he is determined to focus on club business and Burnley’s promotion battle.

“I was gutted for Jack, he’s a top lad and a top goalkeeper,” said Heaton of Butland’s injury.

“Whether that opens a door for me or not, we’ll have to wait and see.

“I try not to look too far ahead, I focus on playing week in week out and putting in some good performances and the rest is up to the manager.”

Heaton kept his 17th clean sheet of the season in Saturday’s 1-0 win over Leeds United, in a match that saw him start his 125th successive league game since his move to Turf Moor.

Since January he has had another senior goalkeeper to learn from after Paul Robinson joined as cover.

Robinson won 41 England caps himself and Heaton revealed the 36-year-old had been a big help around Gawthorpe.

“He’s been excellent in terms of adding that experience. He’s been there and done everything really,” said Heaton.

“I’ve got on fantastically well with him so far, he’s been a very good addition to the squad around the dressing room.

“He’s another calming influence and he’s very good for me personally to draw upon with what he’s been through and different ideas and ways he did it, it just gives you another angle.”