Ben: Let Mee join Burnley team-mates in England camp

While Ben Mee’s priority it to ensure Burnley are playing Premier League football next term, he admits he would love to join his team-mates in the England camp sooner rather than later.

The Clarets received praise over the international break as they had both defender Michael Keane and goalkeeper Tom Heaton in Gareth Southgate’s England squad for games against Scotland and Spain.

The last time Burnley had two players in an England squad was when Martin Dobson and Alan Stevenson travelled together to Portugal in 1974.

But some critics felt it should have been three with 27-year-old defender Mee playing an integral role as Burnley headed into this weekend’s action in the top half of the Premier League.

And while he insists his first job is to ensure Burnley avoid the drop this term, Mee can’t help but look on his team-mates’ rise and hope for a piece of the action himself.

“Credit to the two boys who have gone to England and that shows how far this club has gone,” said Mee.

“A few years ago you probably wouldn’t be saying two lads from Burnley are in the England squad and it’s a real credit to everyone that has put the work in and those two have done really well.

“I played [for England] from under-18s to 19s and 20s and 21s so it is an ambition of mine [to get into the senior squad].

“It certainly motivates me and if it happens then fantastic but I want to keep this club in the Premier League for sure.”