The former Cardiff City goalkeeper looking to dent the Bluebirds' play-off hopes and seal his Euro 2016 spot
5 APR 2016
BY PHIL SMITH
Tom Heaton enjoyed a good Cardiff career but the form of David Marshall meant he had to move on. A few years later, he could be in line for a England spot and a move to Everton
The crowd at Turf Moor tonight will be treated not only to game of huge significance in the Championship promotion race, but also the chance to watch two of the very best goalkeepers in the division ply their trade.
Cardiff City knew they had a richly talented stopper on their hands from the moment Tom Heaton stepped through their doors in 2008.
Though his first season was occasionally interrupted by injury, the former Manchester United youngster did more than enough to prove he had a bright future ahead of him.
So when United released him in 2010, it was no surprise to see Dave Jones move swiftly to bring him in.
When David Marshall suffered an elbow injury, Heaton established himself as Number One and went on to earn the Young Player of the Year award.
Marshall's brilliance became quickly apparent to Malky Mackay, however, and the man who would later go on to be named in the Premier League team of the season by Sky Sports quickly became the go-to choice between the Cardiff sticks.
Heaton left after rejecting the offer of a new deal, but not before some spectacular heroics in Cardiff's run to the League Cup final.
Two penalty saves in the play-off semi final win over Crystal Palace and and a determined display at Wembley mean he will forever be an immensely popular figure in the Welsh Capital.
It would be a cruel twist of fate then, if he was to have a defining contribution in putting a halt to Cardiff's play-off charge tonight.
One of the most consistent keepers in the division, he is more than capable of doing so. He is beginning to make serious waves in the game, and could go on to reach the very top yet....
BECOMING BURNLEY'S BEDROCK
We spoke to our colleagues at the Lancashire Telegraph to find out more about Heaton's impressive form there.
They told us that he has already become one of the key components of their very impressive table-topping team, and there are no signs of his improvement coming to a halt any time soon.
When Jason Shackell left to join Derby in the summer, Heaton was the 'obvious choice' to become club captain.
Andre Gray is the Championship's top scorerGray and Heaton are two key players for Burnley
Why? Well, since arriving at Turf Moor in the summer of 2013/14, he has started each and every one of 123 league games.
Dyche's faith has been handsomely rewarded.
Much has rightly been made of Andre Gray's heroics high up the field, but Burnley have a miserly defence and Heaton has been a tremendous last line of defence.
Never more so than in a crucial 1-0 win over local rivals Blackburn Rovers, with the 29-year-old making a string of superb saves to protect his side's narrow lead.
Saves/Shots Ratio %
Tom Heaton
Heaton celebrates a Burnley win earlier in the season
78.4
David Marshall
Cardiff City goalkeeper David Marshall
72.6
When the Clarets were struggling to secure what looked before the game to be a nailed on win against Bolton Wanderers, Heaton kept them in the game. Gray scored twice and a shock deficit was overturned.
Roy Hodgson was obviously paying attention....
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