TOM Heaton has hailed Michael Duff as the greatest professional he has ever worked with as the centre-back prepares for his testimonial at Turf Moor this summer.

The 37-year-old was back in the Clarets starting line-up in the Premier League for the first time in almost four months on Saturday, recalled just 24 hours after it was announced he would be honoured in a friendly match in August for his 11 years of service to the club.

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And the Northern Ireland international showed there is no substitute for experience as he produced a superb display to keep Sergio Aguero and co quiet in his 350th appearance for the club since a £30,000 move from Cheltenham in 2004.

Duff was back in the side in place of Michael Keane, exactly 15 years his junior with the pair both celebrating birthdays on January 11, and he played a vital role in the 1-0 victory over champions Manchester City.

“He’s been incredible,” the 28-year-old Heaton said of Duff.

“I think Duffo was brilliant (on Saturday). That’s not to say Keano hasn’t been, he’s been top drawer. He’s certainly found his feet quickly.

“Fair play to him, he’s seen a few summers has Duffo, but he’s been brilliant. I have to say, credit to him, he’s in brilliant shape.

“Last year, when I first came to the club, he was putting in brilliant performances, and this year he’s been top drawer again.

“There’s no reason he can’t keep going on, he’s been absolutely fantastic.”

After Saturday’s shutout the Clarets have kept six clean sheets in 29 league games this season, and five of them have come in the 13 league games Duff has started, with Burnley winning three of 13 when Duff starts, and two of 16 when he doesn’t.

“I’d probably say that (he’s the best professional I’ve worked with),” said Heaton. “He’s played an awful lot of games, he’s very experienced and he understands it well.

“He’s a brilliant character in the dressing room.

“He gets it right in training, he lives his life well. His performances since I’ve been at the club have been outstanding.

“His attitude has got to be a big factor. You can’t get away with not being right all the time, especially as you get a bit older.”

Heaton admitted it was ‘rarer’ for players to spend so long at a club that they earn a testimonial these days, and also revealed Duff’s experience from his previous Premier League spell with Burnley five years ago had been vital to the rest of the squad.

“He’s put his roots down and he’s been a fantastic servant to the club,” he said.

“He was absolutely immense at the back. I think he was valuable with his experience the first time the club went up.

“He learnt a few lessons and he's preached a few messages that we've all listened to and taken on board. He's been good with that.”

Heaton could have an outside chance of an England call-up today after West Bromwich Albion keeper Ben Foster was ruled out for four weeks with a knee injury.

Joe Hart and Fraser Forster are expected to retain their places but the other goalkeeping spot in Roy Hodgson's squad seems up for grabs, with Jack Butland, Rob Green and John Ruddy also in contention.