Thursday 16 November 2017 17:24, UK
Burnley boss Sean Dyche believes Jack Cork deserves his first England cap after his "excellent" form for the club.
With a number of regular first-team players ruled out of the recent international break through injury, Cork received a surprise call-up from Gareth Southgate for friendlies against Germany and Brazil.
The 28-year-old was introduced as a late substitute during the 0-0 draw with the world champions on Friday night and Dyche believes Cork's call-up is positive news for Burnley.
"I'm really pleased. It's something I didn't know actually, I know quite a bit about his past, but I didn't realise he had gone through every age group from the U16s," said Dyche.
"It is tremendous for him and very good for us as a club. It is another player recognised by their national side. We have, over the last few years, gained more international appearances in our side, for various sides.
"From the English side of things, it is an important marker for clubs like us to have players in there and I think he's deserving of it. His form so far this season has been excellent."
Cork will now be hoping to stake a claim for a regular spot in the England squad ahead of next year's World Cup in Russia.
"For him, it is to enjoy what has come around and keep working hard," added Dyche, when asked what advice he would look to give the midfielder in regard to his fledgling international career.
"I don't think he needs an excessive amount of information.
"He is wise enough at the age he is and experience level he is to understand the requirements of what it means to play in the Premier League regularly, what it is to play in a side that don't always have it easy and still perform.
"That has been recognised by Gareth [Southgate] and long may it continue."
Cork is expected to start in the heart of the Clarets midfield when relegation-threatened Swansea travel to Turf Moor on Saturday afternoon.
The Swans are currently second-bottom of the division, having recorded just two wins all season, but Dyche is taking nothing for granted against the Welsh club.
"We certainly don't take teams like Swansea lightly just because they're having a bit of a tricky time," said Dyche. "They are a good side. We have to be right on top of our game and we've worked hard on trying to maintain that focus."
Burnley could be without top scorer Chris Wood, who is currently struggling with a hamstring injury.
Wood was forced to start on the bench on Thursday morning as New Zealand lost 2-0 to Peru in their World Cup play-off second-leg in Lima, and Dyche is unsure if the striker will be fit to face Swansea.
"I think over that side of the world they weren't sure if he was ready to start," said Dyche.
"We will catch up with him tomorrow. Our medical team have been in contact and I don't believe there is anything too major there.
