MAKING the step up from club football to the international stage can be a daunting experience.

Some players take time to hit their stride on the biggest stage of all, some never get used to it. Michael Keane looks like he was born to play international football.

It has been a week Keane will never forget. He left Burnley just over a week ago, after helping the Clarets to another clean sheet at Sunderland, hoping that it would be third time lucky moving from England squad member to debutant.

The moment arrived at the iconic Westfalenstadion in Dortmund against Germany, before the 24-year-old retained his place for a competitive debut and a first appearance at Wembley, against Lithuania on Sunday.

That came about thanks to Gary Cahill's suspension and Chris Smalling's injury, but there can be no guarantee they will return. A central defensive partnership of John Stones and Michael Keane is surely the future for England.

Stones provides an interesting reference point for Keane and Burnley. He is likely to depart Turf Moor this summer, that is no secret, but even with just 12 months remaining on his contract the Clarets should be looking for a considerable fee for his services.

Last year Stones swapped Everton for Manchester City for £49million. After Keane's fine start to life as an England international Burnley should be eyeing up at least £25million. This is a modern central defender who reads the game well and, as he showed with England, can certainly pick a pass.

The decision to reject £15million from Leicester City last summer now looks a very shrewd move.

Keane has taken his game to another level this season and Burnley and Sean Dyche deserve enormous credit.

It was only just over two years ago that Manchester United decided they didn't need Keane after just one Premier League appearance. He's made 50 more for Burnley and that now looks a major error of judgement by United.

Dyche could see the potential there and he has helped to harness it. Playing week in and week out has also helped Keane's development.

His performances for England suggest he could now be a regular for most Premier League sides.

Everton will be in the picture come the summer. Their director of football Steve Walsh is a big admirer of Keane and was the driving force behind Leicester's bid last summer before he left the Foxes for the Toffees.

But Liverpool and Chelsea are now being linked, while a return to United couldn't be ruled out, and if Keane decides it is time to move on this summer, a bidding war can only be good news for Burnley.