Allardyce plans to keep Hart as his number one

England boss Sam Allardyce said Joe Hart will “definitely” be in his first squad when it is announced on Sunday, but he is not ready to reveal who his skipper will be.

Speaking at St George’s Park, Allardyce confirmed Hart, who has lost his place at Manchester City to Willy Caballero under Pep Guardiola, will still be part of the England set-up for the opening World Cup qualifier in Slovakia on September 4.

Hart, 29, endured a tough summer with England as they crashed out of the European Championship at the round of 16 stage against Iceland. Since then City boss Guardiola has told Hart he is free to leave the Etihad Stadium.

Despite that, Allardyce will select Hart in his maiden squad.

Allardyce admitted at his unveiling that he was unsure whether current skipper Wayne Rooney will retain the armband under the new regime.

He said: “We will announce the squad then we’ll meet up and the first thing I would probably choose to tell the public and the media would be who is going to be the captain so we can get that one out of the way.”

Rooney operated in midfield during England’s Euro 2016 tournament despite having become the nation’s all-time leading goalscorer in a perfect qualifying campaign.

Allardyce said: “I think in terms of my time over the last 25 years, the success has come about by asking the players to be flexible and play in a position that sometimes they don’t normally play and be successful in that position.”

He added: “If you are playing for England, sure it’s about playing in the first XI, no matter where you play.”

Joe Hart looks set to quit Manchester City.