Burnley goalkeeper Tom Heaton has this evening confirmed that he has pulled out of the England squad through injury, he will be replaced by former Bradford City loan keeper Jordan Pickford who is currently playing for Sunderland in the Premier League .
Heaton was called up to the squad in order to act as the second choice shot-stopper behind Torino goalkeeper Joe Hart and Southampton ‘keeper Fraser Forster but has been forced out due to an unknown injury at this stage.
The Clarets’ captain will now return to the club days before planned and will subsequently be replaced by young Sunderland goalkeeper Jordan Pickford in the squad ahead of England’s final World Cup 2018 qualifier of the week against Slovenia on Tuesday.
Burnley fans will be hoping that the injury to Heaton is not a serious one, otherwise they will have to call upon summer signing Nick Pope to deputise between the posts next Sunday against Southampton.
The experienced ‘keeper has started every single one of Burnley’s Premier League games so far this season and he’d be a great loss to them if the injury is more serious than what is first feared.