Burnley defender James Tarkowski aims to emulate Michael Keane

Keane's form at Turf Moor last season, which saw him earn international recognition and a summer switch to Everton, restricted Tarkowski to just cameos from the bench in the Premier League until he started the final four games of the season.

Tarkowski has had to bide his time since signing from Brentford in early 2016 but he was always seen as the man to fill Keane's void were he ever to depart, and the fact Sean Dyche is yet to sign a direct replacement in this window illustrates the belief in him around Turf Moor.

And Ben Mee's new central-defensive partner hopes he can blossom in Lancashire in the same manner Keane did after he signed from Manchester United, initially on loan, three years ago.

"Looking at Keano's path and how he's done since coming to the club, I can only look at that and take positives out of it," Tarkowski said.

"He's kept me out of the team, which wasn't nice, but he's really kicked on since he's come here. I've felt a massive improvement in my game since I've come so it would be a nice target to look at that.

"It (an England call-up) is not something that I deem unrealistic over the next few years."

While Keane's primary focus is now on the Ronald Koeman revolution at Everton, he still found time to congratulate his old colleagues after their stunning win at Chelsea last weekend.

"He texted me on Saturday or Sunday, I think he lost half of his tooth in his game so he sent me a picture of his tooth and was just congratulating the lads," Tarkowski revealed.

"They had a good result as well and it's a great move for him, probably the perfect one in terms of looking to the World Cup next year. It's nice for Keano to get to a team where he's going to play week-in, week-out again."

There are plenty of parallels between fellow 24-year-olds Keane and Tarkowski, with both tall, quick and comfortable in possession.

The latter credits former centre-back Dyche for improving his defensive fundamentals, even if he was self-critical about his role in Chelsea forward Alvaro Morata's strike last weekend.

"I think when I came here everyone knew I could use the ball well but I think defensively there were always a few question marks over me," Tarkowski admitted.

"Being a defender, that's the most important part of your game. It's something which the gaffer spoke to me quite a lot about and worked on on the pitch, and even in the analysis room, sitting me down and going through a few things.

"There's still work to be done but I've felt a big improvement in myself defensively, especially since I came here."