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Manchester City’s Joe Hart or Southampton’s Fraser Forster: Stan Collymore picks who should start for England

England's Joe Hart (REUTERS)
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Manchester City’s Joe Hart and Southampton’s Fraser Forster are battling it out for the England number one jersey.

Stan Collymore

Stan Collymore has told the Daily Mirror that he would continue to pick Joe Hart ahead of Southampton’s Fraser Forster for England.

Hart had an abject Euro 2016 tournament, where he made a number of high-profile errors in the Three Lions’ net.

To rub salt in the wound, the Manchester City stopper was then loaned out to Torini by Pep Guardiola, soon after the Spanish boss took charge.

England's Joe Hart

City have now brought in Claudio Bravo, leaving Hart’s future at the Etihad Stadium in doubt.

Hart’s place in England’s team has also been called into question, especially because Forster is in such good form for Southampton.

But Collymore said: “I was all for Forster being given his chance by Allardyce but, as with Wayne Rooney, I’d keep it as simple as possible and stick with Joe Hart.

“I know Peter Taylor made the bold decision to hand David Beckham the captain’s armband when he was caretaker manager, but Gareth takes over under very different circumstances.”

Southampton's Fraser Forster

Forster has kept six clean sheets in a row for the Saints, who have let in just six goals in their first seven Premier League matches.

The former Celtic keeper has earned a host of plaudits for his displays, and he is now putting serious pressure on Hart.

The current England number one made an error on his debut in Serie A, but he has since been more solid – and Hart has helped Torino move up to seventh in Italy’s top flight.

England’s next match comes against Malta in World Cup qualifying.

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