England international set for long spell on sidelines

Burnley and England goalkeeper Tom Heaton is set for an extended spell on the sidelines after suffering a suspected dislocated shoulder against Crystal Palace this weekend.

Heaton was forced off after just 36 minutes of action in Burnley’s 1-0 win over Palace on Sunday after landing awkwardly following contact with team-mate Ben Mee.

Sean Dyche revealed after his side’s latest win that the Clarets fear the worst and expect the 31-year-old to be sidelined for the next few months.

“It is a suspected dislocated shoulder,” The Daily Mail quote Dyche as saying. “We will have to see, if it is that then it is not weeks, more like months."

Heaton’s absence is a huge blow for Burnley, having established himself as one of the best goalkeepers in the division since the start of last season.

His injury will now mean a prolonged run in the side for Nick Pope, who made his Premier League debut when he replaced Heaton on Sunday.

Since the start of last season, no goalkeeper has made more saves in the Premier League than Heaton (149).