Burnley goalkeeper Tom Heaton believes that defender Michael Keane isn’t far behind John Stones in terms of ability and has talked up his relationship with Ben Mee.

The 23-year-old joined the Clarets on-loan from Manchester United in September 2014 and impressed enough to secure a permanent deal in January 2015.

Keane had struggled to force his way into the reckoning at Old Trafford and had previously enjoyed loan spells with Leicester, Derby and Blackburn before settling at Turf Moor.

The defender has proved his quality with the Lancashire club after making 65 league appearances during his two spells and helping them to earn promotion last season.

Reports claimed that Premier League champions Leicester offered £15million for his services this summer but Burnley, who are priced at 1.85 to be relegated, believe he is worth more.

The England Under-21 international will get the chance to show his quality in the Premier League throughout 2016-17 and Heaton has backed him to keep improving.

This summer has seen youngster John Stones complete a big-money move to Manchester City, and when asked if Keane was far behind his compatriot, Heaton said: “No, not all.

He’s been brilliant and he has an awful lot of potential. “When we were in the Premier League last time he was what, 22/23, he did very well and last year he had another fantastic year.

“At his age, as an English centre-half, he’s big, he’s strong, he’s good on the ball, so I’m not surprised (at the value).”

Mee was moulded into a central defender in the second half of last season and looks set to partner Keane for the Premier League campaign.

The Burnley stopper feels they are both outstanding players and insists they can cope with some of the best strikers in the world. He added: “They’ve been outstanding, both of them.

Last season, in particular, they were incredible. “It’ll be great to start the season for them playing against some of the top strikers in the world.”