Heaton appreciates England recall after benefiting from Banks’ advice

England will pay tribute to goalkeeping great Gordon Banks at Wembley on Friday when Tom Heaton will return to the squad having heeded the advice given to him by the World Cup-winning hero.A sell-out crowd will remember the 1966 star when Gareth Southgates Three Lions kick off their Euro 2020 qualification campaign against the Czech Republic.There will be a period of appreciation in Englands first match since Banks died aged 81 on February 12, with players to wear black armbands and a banner to be displayed featuring his yellow World Cup shirt and the number one.Were deeply saddened to hear that Gordon Banks, our #WorldCup-winning goalkeeper, has passed away. Our thoughts are with Gordons friends, family and supporters at this difficult time. pic.twitter.com/nbzncYBCFA England (@England) February 12, 2019Members of his family will be in the Royal Box and representatives from his former club Stoke have been invited to a match that will see their current goalkeeper Jack Butland involved.Last summers World Cup number one Jordan Pickford and Burnleys Heaton complete the group, with the latter praising Banks performances on the field and help away from it in the build-up.The fact he was Englands World Cup-winning goalkeeper and made the iconic save, of course, 70-odd caps for England was an incredible achievement, Heaton said.I was fortunate to meet him a while ago at my dads golf course. I had a quick chat with him and he was brilliant towards a young goalkeeper at the time.Tom Heaton spoke of his admiration for Gordon Banks (Martin Rickett/PA)I asked him a few different questions about what sort of advice he would have for me.Only straightforward stuff, but a brilliant moment for me to have such a hero, really, to give me some really good words of advice.I was about 20, I think, around about that. It was just along the basis of, what work you put in, you get out. As straightforward as that, really.That, and I remember him telling me to make sure I enjoyed it. And he is right.Heaton is pleased to be back in the England fold (Martin Rickett/PA)You have certainly got to appreciate it. I have found that myself coming back after being out so long, you get an appreciation for being out there and enjoying every moment of it.Heaton has certainly benefited from that advice in recent years.Having gone to Euro 2016 and established himself as part of the squad, the 32-year-olds World Cup hopes were derailed at the start of the 2017-18 season by a nasty shoulder injury.Heaton watched on as Burnley understudy Nick Pope broke into the England set-up and capped a fine season by heading to Russia, with club competition then increased by Joe Harts summer arrival.Heaton, right, and Joe Hart are team-mates at Burnley (Martin Rickett/PA)It meant the former Manchester United youth prospect had to bide his time on the sidelines, although his impressive return to the fold at Turf Moor brought an international recall for this months Euro 2020 qualifiers.Brilliant, Heaton said of his return. Obviously it was a frustrating first part of the season.To get back in the team and be back here, its sort of a nice end to a difficult journey, really.It was tough. You get injured. It was a longer-term injury, I probably didnt know the details of it at the time, didnt realise the scale of it, to be honest.REACTION: England Call For Clarets Pair https://t.co/kSvQguJGvw Burnley FC (@BurnleyOfficial) March 13, 2019The first part of it is OK, you get your rehabilitation in. Towards the end when your mind sort of thinks that youre ready but physically youre not quite there, that can be a touch frustrating.And probably the hardest bit of all is being back fit and then not playing.Its difficult but you put the work in, the graft, the opportunity comes and thankfully Im back here today.Heatons return to the England squad comes with arguably the first calls for him to be Englands number one, thanks to Pickfords recent wobbles.Back at it! #ThreeLions pic.twitter.com/OqGdYxFpOZ Jordan Pickford (@JPickford1) March 19, 2019The Everton goalkeepers penalty shootout heroics against Colombia capped a fine all-round tournament, but the 25-year-olds form has been questionable with the Toffees.Heaton has not spoken about it with Pickford but does not believe he would bat an eyelid about the scrutiny.There is a support network there with discussion about how best to face certain things but that is how the life of the goalkeeper is, he said.Since being back in the team I have been enjoying every moment.It can be tough, but the important thing is you have got the broad shoulders to take it and keep ploughing on, and thats what I think.(function(i,s,o,g,r,a,m){i['GoogleAnalyticsObject']=r;i[r]=i[r]||function(){
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