England have nothing to lose by giving Burnley’s Nick Pope his big chance, and it could help Everton’s Pickford

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Only one England goalkeeper has proven himself worthy of a World Cup start this summer, and Gareth Southgate should not be afraid to throw him in.

Nick Pope is the unlikely outsider in the four-way battle for the England number one shirt at the World Cup this summer.

The Burnley goalkeeper was scarcely a blip on the radar at the start of the season, but he has been in outstanding form in the Premier League and thoroughly deserves his place in the squad.

As Gareth Southgate ponders which of the four to drop for the final 23-man group and which to hand the gloves to, though, Pope should be considered more than a handy back-up.

He may be yet to make his international debut, but that can work in the 25-year-old’s favour.

Pope is the form English goalkeeper right now and, if Southgate were to pick on that basis, as he has suggested in the past, should really be starting in Russia.

The big positive for Southgate, though, is that this tournament is now something of a free hit in this position, with neither Jack Butland nor Jordan Pickford really taking the opportunity afforded by Joe Hart’s struggles and Tom Heaton’s injury.

England were surely planning for Pickford to become the long-term starter in goal, and that can still be the case, but it may be less risky to select a confident Pope this summer than a young player who has stuttered somewhat.

Shattering Pickford could hurt England in the long term, while there is little to lose by affording Pope the opportunity as both he and Southgate appreciate that he is an unlikely contender in the first place.

Pope could establish himself this summer or disappear without trace; either way, it would not harm Pickford.

If Pope was such a disaster in Russia that he looked out of his depth after one game, Pickford or Butland could then step in at that point.

But it would be unfair not to reward the Burnley man’s fine form, just as it would be unfair to thrust an out-of-form goalkeeper into the limelight.