POPE READY FOR LIFT-OFF

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Clarets' keeper looks forward to new season as hard work pays off

2021-08-13T13:21:56.204Z

POPE READY FOR LIFT-OFF

Clarets' keeper looks forward to new season as hard work pays off

2021-08-13T13:21:56.204Z

Clarets' keeper looks forward to new season as hard work pays off

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Nick Pope can’t wait to resume his Clarets’ career after putting in the hours over the summer to get fit.

Instead of being part of the England squad competing in the Euro 2020 Finals, Pope was a regular visitor to the Clarets’ training ground to complete a rehabilitation programme following knee surgery.

His hard work paid off with a return in last Saturday’s final public pre-season work-out against Cadiz.

And the Clarets’ keeper is now looking forward to the chance to play competitive football again in Saturday’s opener against Brighton at Turf Moor.

“It’s probably the hardest thing in your career, getting through injuries which are a bit longer term,” said Pope, whose last Burnley appearance saw him keep a clean sheet in the victory at Fulham in May which secured the Clarets’ top-flight status.

“It’s something I’m hopefully glad to have seen the back of – the physio room.

“It was good to be back in at the weekend and get 90 minutes under my belt.

“It was quite a slow summer, a lot of time in the gym and on my own outside, but when you come through at the weekend and you feel good afterwards it’s a really good step in the right direction and I’m looking forward to the season starting now.”

Pope was a shoo-in for the England squad that reached the Euro final before losing on penalties to Italy.

And while missing out on the second major tournament experience of his career was a tough blow to take, Pope was at Wembley to support a squad that lifted the nation on its run through the competition.

“It was a bit tough to watch but I enjoyed working with those players and I wanted to see them to do well and I thought they did do,” he added.

“I was glad to see a good bunch of people live up to and exceed expectation.

“It was something I think they should be very proud of.”

Pope will be looking to reclaim his England squad spot for the next round of international games next month but for now is squarely focused on the start of his sixth season as a Burnley player.

His form over the last three seasons – wrapped around a lengthy absence due to a shoulder injury – has marked him out as one of the top keepers in the country.

And he is out to try and help Sean Dyche’s men making an instant impact this time around with a first home win since the end of January in front of the returning fans.

“It’s good to have that rush of adrenaline when you feel like you’ve got that many people behind you,” said Pope, who now has new competition for his jersey in the shape of summer signing Wayne Hennessey.

“And I’ve got to say whether we’re winning the game, losing the game or drawing the game they are always with us.

“They are really good in that regard. If we go 1-0 down after three minutes they are not booing or hissing, they are up to rallying behind us and helping us get a good result.

“So I think that’s something that we will enjoy having back. Fans coming back and us looking at ourselves and working on a few things as well. That could marry up into better home form.

“We didn’t have the best start last year so it would be nice to improve on that and give ourselves a good foundation to go from.

“But everyone wants a good start and we will be gunning for that on Saturday.”