The youngster has made two appearances for the Premier League side in all competitions this season.
Sunderland’s Jordan Pickford
Sunderland boss David Moyes has suggested to the Shields Gazette that young goalkeeper Jordan Pickford should be looking to challenge for a place in the England squad.
The 22-year-old had made just two league appearances for the Black Cats before this season, but has already managed to get a couple of games under his belt this time around, featuring in the League Cup clash with Shrewsbury and the top flight game with Southampton.
And Moyes believes that while there are a number of contenders in front of him, Pickford – who has several under-21 caps to his name for the Three Lions – should be looking to put his name into the hat for the full senior side.
“I have a lot of faith in him, he is a really highly regarded goalkeeper,” he told the Shields Gazette.
Sunderland manager David Moyes
“England are struggling a little bit for goalkeepers at the moment, maybe Joe Hart is moving on a little bit, there is Fraser Forster coming in and Jack Butland at Stoke has done very well.
“I think Jordan should be setting his sights on them and saying they are my next target – they are the ones I have to get above.”
Though Pickford is still trying to establish himself at the Stadium of Light, he does boast large amounts of experience, having enjoyed several loan spells during his career.
And with the Shields Gazette reporting that Pickford will keep his place between the sticks for Sunderland’s game with Everton on Monday – with Vito Mannone still sidelined while new signing Mika has seemingly arrived a little too late – Moyes will be hoping that his challenge brings the best out of the academy graduate, and sees him go on a run of form that makes it impossible for the manager to leave him out in future.
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