Birmingham City goalkeeper Joe Hart praised as best in the country by Trevor Francis

Apr 23 2010 by Colin Tattum, Birmingham Mail

JOE Hart should be England’s first-choice goalkeeper, Trevor Francis has declared.

The former Blues great said on-loan Hart was the best around in the Premier League.

And Francis admitted he was puzzled why Fabio Capello had not given Hart a run already instead of Robert Green and David James.

“I think Joe Hart has benefited greatly from the season he has had at Birmingham,” said Francis.

“He has played really well and it has been widely recognised throughout football that Birmingham have one of the best back fours in the Premier League and you have to give the guy who plays behind them enormous credit.

“He has helped them become a team that is very difficult to beat.

“Joe Hart has been the best English goalkeeper in the Premier League this season.

“And I was very surprised he wasn’t given the opportunity to play in the last England game against Egypt.

“I still think there’s an opportunity for him in the next game against Mexico.

“I think he should be England’s No.1. And that’s not a biased viewpoint because of my allegiance to Birmingham City.

“I firmly believe that he is our best goalkeeper and I wouldn’t have any hesitation selecting him for the next two games, with a view to him starting against the USA in the World Cup finals.”

Manchester City have yet to make a decision on whether Hart will be loaned again next season.

So Blues are making contingency plans, with Manchester United’s Ben Foster believed to be one of several candidates under scrutiny.

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