SEAN Dyche says Danny Ings is fully deserving of his maiden England call-up.

The former Burnley striker has earned recognition from Roy Hodgson after backing up the reputation he grew at Turf Moor with an eye-catching start to his Liverpool career.

And Dyche said he was both pleased and proud to see Ings offered the chance to take another big step in his career.

“It’s fantastic. He’s had a good start at Liverpool over three or four months and had three great years here,” said the Burnley boss.

“We did a lot of work with him on and off the pitch, with his character, how he is as a person, how he deals with everything, and also work on the pitch, the tactical side, his technical game, and particularly how he’s operating.

“Its pleasing for me as a manager because a lot of things I’m seeing pundits talk about...he’s even referenced it himself, about breaking the back line, being more than a 10, can he be a 10 going into a nine, can you stretch the pitch, work on the in betweens, but also can you come and collect, and he’s found a nice balance, adding to that a great desire and energy, and a strong mentality.”

Ings was instrumental in Burnley winning promotion in 2013/14 and scored 11 goals in the Clarets’ top flight season to earn a move to Liverpool in the summer.

Dyche feels he has all the tools to take the step up in his stride.

“You can never guarantee it, but the strength he got from operating in our side last year, when it was a challenge every game, chances harder to find and wins not as easily available. And that brings a great strength,” he said.

“Put him in a different scenario, and I know there’s been a lot of question marks around the Liverpool scene, some probably a bit over the top, but that happens - he stayed very focused on waiting for his time to come, and so far he’s shown a brightness and energy, and I know Brendan (Rodgers) has been very pleased with him so far.

“And to get into the England squad, all those experiences, when you do get the chance to be in and around those players, he’d be reasonably used to it. He’s a good trainer, wants to train, and he can be infectious.

“We wish him well.”