Dyche fears Heaton could be sidelined 'months' with shoulder injury

Fears over the severity of Tom Heaton's injury were all but confirmed following Burnley's win over Crystal Palace, as manager Sean Dyche revealed that the English goalkeeper could be out of action for months because of a shoulder injury.

The Burnley net-minder was removed from Sunday's encounter with a possible dislocated shoulder after colliding with his own defender, Ben Mee, and landing awkwardly.

(Photo courtesy: Action Images)

Heaton left the pitch with the help of a Burnley medical official, and was replaced by Nick Pope.

After Burnley's 1-0 win, Dyche revealed his concern that Heaton could be out of action for a number of months.

"It looks like a dislocated shoulder and if that is the case we are looking at months, not weeks," Dyche said, according to BBC Sport.

If tests confirm Dyche's prognosis, it's a bitter blow for Heaton, who had been challenging to become England's No. 1 option between the pipes.