Burnley defender James Tarkowski says Ben Mee should keep his head high despite missing out on another England squad. Mee has failed to represent the England first team, despite coming through the ranks at U19, U20 and U20 level.
The 30-year-old has made 10 appearances for England at youth level, but he has never been called up to the senior side since Burnley’s return to the top flight.
The former Manchester City defender continues to be overlooked, despite some impressive performances for the Clarets this season.
Mee has made eight appearances so far, and he has helped Sean Dyche’s side move into seventh in the Premier League, with the club keeping three clean sheets in the process.
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Tarkowski was also left out of the England squad, and the commanding centre-back has expressed his disappointment at missing out on a place in Gareth Southgate’s recent squad to face Czech Republic and Bulgaria.
Southgate selected Joe Gomez, Michael Keane, Harry Maguire, Tyrone Mings and Fikayo Tomori as his centre-back options but Tarkowski says Mee is still appreciated at Turf Moor.
He told the Lancashire Telegraph: “I don’t think anybody plays at Premier League level for as long as he has now, four years in a row, and plays every game. “He never gets injured, and his performances are consistent. Maybe he’s overlooked, but everybody here at the club appreciates how big a player he is for us. I certainly do.”
Tarkowski made his Three Lions debut on March 27, but his last appearance for the national team came in September 2018.
Both he and Mee have remained in training this week as they prepare for the club’s next match against Leicester City.
The Clarets face a tricky away trip this weekend before they then do battle with Chelsea, Sheffield United, West Ham United and Watford.
