MICHAEL Keane believes he has grown in confidence as a player with Burnley after making his 50th Premier League appearance in the defeat at Anfield on Sunday.

But the former Manchester United youngster admits he still has plenty of learning to do and is confident he can still improve.

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Keane brought up his half century in the 2-1 defeat and the 24-year-old said the regular top flight game time he has earned with the Clarets has been crucial to his confidence.

Only one of his 50 Premier League appearances came for boyhood club United, but since his move to Turf Moor Keane has established himself as one of the league’s best central defenders, earning a place in the England squad in the process.

Keane said he now felt like he belonged among the best after nearly two seasons in the top flight with Burnley. “It seems to have gone quick. I didn’t know I’d played that much,” he said.

“I feel like I’ve grown a lot, more confidence than anything else, knowing you belong at this level and playing against this standard of players.”

Keane was on the losing side with Burnley against Liverpool on Sunday but it is the type of game he is keen to play in.

“Games like the weekend you have to relish and challenge yourself,” he added.

“These are the games you want to play in as a footballer and if you come through and do well you’re proving to yourself and to others that you’re good enough for these challenges.

“I’m happy with how it’s gone but I’ve still got a lot of learning to do and hopefully I can keep kicking on.”

Keane has been winning plenty of plaudits this season, with Rio Ferdinand a regular admirer on social media while Frank Lampard named the Burnley defender in his Premier League team of the season so far.

“It’s good to see when a legend like that gives you credit,” he said.

“It’s not easy playing in a team that’s under the cosh quite a lot, although we’ve done brilliantly, and it’s nice to be recognised, with other players that didn’t get in that team.

“It’s good to see a lot of the players like Andre getting recognised and Heats and Ben (Mee) for doing really well.”

Keane will hope his form is recognised by Gareth Southgate tomorrow when he names his England squad for games with Germany and Lithuania.

The Clarets defender said he hadn’t heard from the Three Lions chief recently, but wasn’t concerned about the silence.

“Not recently, maybe he would with the experienced players but I’m new on the England scene, he probably feels he doesn’t have to, which he doesn’t,” he said.

“I’m sure he will be watching my games, as will his staff, as they do all the other players.

“I’ll just have to wait and see in a few weeks but hopefully I can stay around it.”