David James has said that England have three "fantastic goalkeepers" in Joe Hart, Jack Butland and Fraser Forster.
Hart has been the Three Lions' first-choice stopper since 2010 and has been unchallenged in his role, despite brief drops in form for Manchester City over the past three years.
However, James believes that the rise of Butland at Stoke City this season and the return to fitness of Forster at Southampton should provide England with fierce competition for the number one jersey.
"For English goalkeepers as a collective, Butland's form is great," James told Sky Sports News. "Fraser Forster challenged last season, but was injured and out of the equation.
"With Forster back fit, a fit Jack Butland and Joe Hart then you have three fantastic goalkeepers. The only caveat is that it is Butland's first full season.
"He is doing rather well at the moment, that is for sure. It is only early in the season, and obviously with the ebb and flow of the Premier League, things can change quickly. There is potential for a real battle over the next few years, which can only be good for England fans."
England face France in their friendly clash on Tuesday at Wembley, despite the terror attacks on Paris on Friday.
Simon Sinclair
