SEAN Dyche believes regular exposure to Premier League football is helping to toughen up Michael Keane.

The 23-year-old capped a fine start to the season with Burnley with an England call-up two weeks ago, although he remained on the bench for the games against Malta and Slovenia.

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Keane featured in 21 top flight games for the Clarets two years ago after his move from Manchester United but he has improved considerably since the start of last season, when he emerged as a key figure in Dyche’s side.

And the Burnley boss felt his Three Lions call was justified after his recent progression.

“I think he’s maturing nicely and has done ever since we’ve had him,” said Dyche. “He has an assured manner and that’s getting better.

“His toughness as a competitor is definitely improving. He can definitely play and he’s a very good athlete. There’s a very nice combination there.

“Playing in the Premier League adds to the mental strength of a player, walking out to packed houses, TV matches, the levels of scrutiny.

Even the public awareness – people recognise these players more easily than they will have done for the last couple of years.”

Keane narrowly missed out on a call-up to Gareth Southgate’s initial 23-man party, but was then added to the squad following the withdrawal of Glen Johnson.

Although the Stockport-born defender didn’t win his first senior cap, to go with 16 Under-21 appearances, Dyche feels he will have benefited from the experience of linking up with England.

It’s about the group and environment there, the difference in levels, the top players, training at that level and getting a feel for what it is,” he said.

“I was really, really pleased that Gareth called him up to give him a look at it. The next time who knows, but at least he’s had a feel of it because think he is a player who can progress and play top level international football.”

While Keane’s progress has been a benefit to Burnley they could face a decision on his future at the end of this season.

He was the subject of a failed £15million bid from champions Leicester City in the summer but also turned down a new four-year deal to stay at Turf Moor.

Since then he has caught the eye with his Premier League appearances and come the end of this season he will only have a year remaining on his current deal.

But Dyche is focusing on getting the best out of his central defender for now rather than looking too far ahead.

“It’s a double-edged sword,” he said. “It’s a compliment in many ways that people are writing stories about your players but there is a challenge to make sure we, as a club, are secure.

“We said in the summer that players weren’t for sale and they weren’t. Keano’s still here. We don’t worry too much about the future.”