Sunderland v Burnley: Sean Dyche hails '˜sharp' Jermain Defoe following England recall

Some had expected Gray to join team-mates Tom Heaton and Michael Keane in Gareth Southgate’s squad for games against Germany and Lithuania, but the England boss opted instead to end Black Cats talisman Defoe’s four-year international exile.

Burnley boss Sean Dyche had no complaints about the decision, admitting: “Jermain Defoe is a fine player – he still looks sharp and he’s still scoring goals.

“I think the game’s changing anyway – players are looking after themselves for longer, they’re staying fitter and there are more support systems.

“(Gray) is still learning and adjusting in the Premier League. I think he’ll improve from what we do here and he’ll improve from being in the Premier League, so hopefully if he continues to do that his day will come.”