HEATON'S BURNLEY FUTURE IN DOUBT

Burnley goalkeeper Tom Heaton has admitted that he is open to leaving the Clarets in January as he seeks for regular football.

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Heaton hasn't played much at all this season, with the 'keeper struggling to get back in the first team following a long-term shoulder injury that kept Heaton out for almost a year.

Joe Hart was signed by Burnley in the summer after Heaton's replacement, Nick Pope suffered a long-term shoulder injury of his own.

Heaton has revealed that reclaiming his spot in goal at Turf Moor will be "tough" and has opened up on the possibility of leaving Burnley.

"It doesn't need a rocket scientist to see that it's going to be difficult to fit us all in," Heaton said to the Mirror.

"Come the January transfer window, I've got to keep my options open. The one thing I've been consistent about in my career is moving clubs in order to play games.

"I felt really at it; back to 100 per cent (at the start of the season). Then I picked up a slight calf injury and I ended up missing the Europa League games against Aberdeen.

"Popey played in them and then he suffered the same injury as me, so the manager decided he would bring in Joe Hart.

"Joe was thrown in against Basaksehir in the Europa League, (and) the manager then kept him in for the first Premier League game of the season at Southampton, which was frustrating for me.

"I can't lie. That was tough. Obviously, I knew Joe well and have great respect for him, but, to be perfectly honest, I was expecting to play."