England helping me and Birmingham City - goalkeeper Hart

Oct 17 2009 by Lisa Smith, Birmingham Mail

BLUES keeper Joe Hart is convinced being involved in the England set-up can only help make him an even better player for his club.

The 22-year-old shot-stopper was a late call-up to Fabio Capello’s recent England squad for the international double-header against Ukraine and Belarus and Hart was thrilled to be asked.

With the England goalkeeping position still potentially up for grabs and World Cup qualification guaranteed, Hart is delighted to be on the fringes aware that anything can happen and there may just be an opening for him.

He said: “It was great to be involved with England and nice to get among such experienced lads and see what went on.

“As it was the final qualifier it was also nice to be involved in all the celebration in the dressing room afterwards!

“It was great to be around these games and shows me what I have got to do.”

Hart, who joined Blues in the summer on loan from Manchester City and went straight in as the club’s number one, joined former Villa defender Gary Cahill in getting a last-minute text from Capello.

“Gary and I were joking about that this week – the late call-up! But I really don’t mind if I don’t get called up straight away because it is still great to get the call.

“You won’t hear me complaining if I get a late text in the summer either!” he said. “I hope to get involved again and will keep doing my best for Birmingham to make sure that happens.”