Martin Keown claims yesterday was great for West Ham United’s Joe Hart

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West Ham United’s Joe Hart is facing competition to keep hold of his spot in goal for England.

Martin Keown has told Match of the Day, which was broadcast on BBC One on 17th March, that West Ham United stopper Joe Hart had a great day, despite not even playing.

Hart is currently in Miami with the rest of his West Ham teammates on warm weather training.

But Keown believes that the experienced stopper may have been pleased with what he saw in the Premier League.

Hart has found his England number one place under significant pressure this season, but his two main rivals for the place both have shown signs of weakness of late.

Everton’s Jordan Pickford and Stoke City’s Jack Butland are considered Gareth Southgate’s most likely starters in goal in Russia at the World Cup.

However, both Pickford and Butland made errors yesterday, in Everton’s clash with Stoke.

Butland could have done better with both of Everton’s goals, and Pickford failed to come off his line to claim the Potters’ strike.

It means that Gareth Southgate has plenty of food for thought, ahead of the World Cup.

“I think it was a good day for Joe Hart. I think you’ve got that decision to make, and if they’re not going to prove they’re better than him, do you take that risk to play them,” Keown said.

Southgate’s decision over who he may pick as England’s number one may become clearer in the coming weeks, as the Three Lions play friendlies against both Holland and Italy.