END OF THE WORLD
KEEPER JOE IS LOSING GRIP ON HIS No.1 SPOT
JOE HART is facing the England axe after his career was left in limbo.
Three Lions boss Gareth Southgate is ready to bring in Jack Butland for tomorrow’s friendly with France and the Stoke keeper is seen as his potential long-term No.1. Southgate said: “Our intention was always to give someone else a game – and, however that looks, I will have to ride it out. I am
seeing a headline that says ‘Hart is not safe’, but we need competition. Who knows who will be fit and available and, too many times, we have got to a tournament when a key player is not fully fit.”
Hart, 30, confessed he has no offers on the table and, unless he can find a top club, his England future is under threat after being left an outcast at Manchester City.
The England keeper spent last season on loan at Torino and has two years left on his current £120,000-a-week contract with the Blues.
Hart, criticised after conceding two late free-kicks against Scotland, said: “I would love to give you a poker-straight answer but I’ve got nothing at the moment.
“Patience is going to be key right now. I certainly don’t think City are going to try to price me out of a move.
“There’s enough respect between the player and club to work together. There no animosity. They are going in their direction and I need to go in mine.”