Clarets’ Keane: I thought Dyche was ringing to tell me off!

Burnley defender Michael Keane admits the call-up to the England squad was more of a surprise to him than anyone else – so much so that he thought his manager was calling to tell him off.

The 23-year-old had hung up his boots for the international break when he wasn’t named in Gareth Southgate’s original squad.

But an injury to Glen Johnson has given the former Manchester United man an opportunity – one he is now desperate to make the most of.

Keane worked under Southgate at England Under-21 level, but it was a handful of missed calls from Burnley manager Sean Dyche which had the Turf Moor man on the edge of his seat.

(Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)

“I was in the pool at the gym by my house and went into the changing room to a few missed calls from the gaffer. I was thinking ‘what have I done wrong here?!’ so I had to call him back,” said Keane, in the squad for games against Malta and Slovenia.

“He told me the good news and he was really happy for me, but I was a bit shocked. Then I spoke to Gareth and he said that I was very close to being in it anyway, and that I fully deserve to be here.

“He knows what I’m like because I worked with him for a couple of years in the Under-21s, so it’s been quite straightforward. He was just really happy for me so it was a nice conversation. It’s one of the best moments of my career.

“Gareth has helped me a lot through my career and given me a lot of chances, so I’m grateful to him. I’m here to prove that I’m good enough, and that’s what I want to show him.”