Joe Hart

The 23-year-old enjoyed an outstanding season while on-loan at Birmingham City to earn a place in the preliminary 30-man squad.

The Manchester City ace is certain to be on the plane to South Africa as only two others, David James and Robert Green, have been included in the initial squad, with six players to miss out when Fabio Capello trims the squad for the June 1 deadline.

Hart is certain to feature in tonight’s friendly against Mexico and he admits he cannot wait to take the field to try and do enough to earn him the starting position when the serious business gets underway on June 12.

“It would mean everything to play at Wembley,” Hart told www.thefa.com.

“I don’t really think about it, plan for it or set any goals, because it is an absolute bonus just to be involved in the squads.

“But I will be doing everything in my power to catch the manager’s eye and hopefully get a few more caps to my name.”

Hart has certainly been catching the eye this season and has been lauded by some pundits as England’s best keeper at the moment, although whether Capello would go with someone as inexperienced – one cap against Trinidad & Tobago in June 2008 – remains to be seen.

James had been England’s number one but injury problems led him slipping down the pecking order, with Rob Green taking over as first-choice under Capello, although his club West Ham only just survived in the Premier League after a long relegation battle.

Despite the position seemingly being up for grabs, Hart insists that there is great camaraderie and unity between the three of them and he is learning all the time from being around them.

“The spirit between the keepers is definitely there,” he said.

“We train and work together far more closely than anyone else in the squad.

“We are all different keepers and obviously Jamo and Greeny have got vast experience over me which I am looking to learn off.

“They are two big personalities and great people to be around.”

England are currently the third favourites at 11/2 in the tournament ouright betting, behind favourites Spain at 7/2 and Brazil at 4/1, and Hart has revealed that Capello certainly has the players prepared for what is to come.

“Fabio is a very intense character and that really brushes off on the lads,” said Hart.

“When we are at the stadiums or the training ground it is work time.

“Everything revolves around winning and building a good strong side.”

England are 1/3 favourites to win Group A and open their campaign against USA on June 12, before taking on Algeria six days later and Slovenia on the 23rd.

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