CLARETS captain Tom Heaton has returned to training as he continues his recovery from shoulder surgery.

The goalkeeper has trained with his Burnley teammates this week as he steps up his return from the dislocated shoulder he suffered in the 1-0 win over Crystal Palace on September 10.

The 31-year-old went under the knife after picking up the injury when he fell awkwardly after claiming a high ball in the Turf Moor fixture.

Nick Pope has filled in for Heaton since then and won plenty of plaudits in the process and Sean Dyche could face a dilemma when Heaton is ready to make his first team return, although that is not expected to be imminent.

Heaton's return could reignite his World Cup hopes, with the former Manchester United man a regular in Gareth Southgate's England squads before injury struck.

Speaking about Heaton's potential return to action last month, Pope said he was relishing the competition amongst the goalkeeping group.

“It’s a competition. Like you would have at any every club, and there is with other positions, there is competition,” he said.

“We have a great goalie group. There will be no problems I can assure you of that. We have worked together over a year and have a great relationship on and off the pitch. He is a friend of mine.

“So it’s just work hard every day and that’s what we are like. We’ll push each other to make other better.”