World Cup

David Seaman backs Joe Hart for World Cup spot

By Daniel Lewis, Senior Reporter | 18 April 2018

Former England number one David Seaman expects Joe Hart to start England's opening World Cup game against Tunisia due to his experience in major tournaments.

David Seaman has insisted that Joe Hart should remain England's number one for the World Cup, despite a number of high-profile errors.

The 30-year-old is currently on loan at West Ham United from Manchester City, where he has failed to impress and faces being dropped for a second time this season.

Hart was also overlooked for selection in the Three Lions' recent friendlies with the Netherlands and Italy, with Jordan Pickford and Jack Butland auditioning for the role, but Seaman has tipped Hart to go to Russia as Gareth Southgate's first choice.

"For me, it has always been Joe. Obviously, the two other guys are getting really close," he told Sky Sports News. "Joe's fortunately started playing for West Ham which is going to help, it is going to give Gareth a hard decision to make, whether he goes with Jordan or Jack we do not know.

"Only Gareth will know, but he is going to have to be a little bit careful because it is a World Cup and it's big pressure. Joe's handled all that before, Jordan and Jack have never really been anywhere near that. When I think of that situation I always think to Scott Carson when he got put in at Wembley against Croatia.

"He made a mistake in the first five minutes and his game just went because he had no experience to fall back on. The standard is good and Jordan and Jack are getting really close."

Burnley duo Nick Pope and Tom Heaton are the other goalkeepers in contention for a squad place, with Southgate due to name his travelling party in just under a month's time.