MX23RW : Thursday, December 12 20:02:24| >> :600:119758:119758:

Nigel Martyn: 'Hard to pick between Jordan Pickford, Jack Butland'

Former England goalkeeper Nigel Martyn thinks that Gareth Southgate faces a tough decision in choosing between Jordan Pickford and Jack Butland at the World Cup.

Former England goalkeeper Nigel Martyn has claimed that Gareth Southgate faces a difficult decision in choosing between Jordan Pickford and Jack Butland as first choice at the World Cup.

Everton's Pickford, Stoke City's Butland and Burnley's Nick Pope all made Southgate's 23-man squad, with Pickford given the number one shirt as the squad list was submitted to FIFA.

Pickford won his third international cap in Saturday's 2-1 win over Nigeria, playing the full 90 minutes, and Martyn feels that the custodian selected to play in Thursday's friendly against Costa Rica is likely to start England's campaign in Russia.

"A really difficult decision isn't it? I think it's between [Pickford] and Jack Butland really who gets the nod," the former Crystal Palace and Leeds United goalkeeper told Sky Sports News.

"Jordan had a really great season with Everton and was probably the shining light for them.

"I think Jack Butland is a very capable goalkeeper as well. Those two are probably the frontrunners.

"Whoever gets to start in the next game might be the one that gets the nod for the first game during the World Cup."

Pope's Clarets teammate Tom Heaton has been placed on standby, while former England number one Joe Hart has missed out on a place in the squad altogether.

ID:327590: cacheID:327590:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:3218:
Written by
Giuseppe Labellarte
Restore Data
Share this article now:
England goalkeeper Jordan Pickford in action during the international friendly with Nigeria at Wembley on June 2, 2018
Read Next:
Pickford given number one jersey
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool14112129111835
2Chelsea1594235181731
3Arsenal1585229151429
4Manchester CityMan City158342721627
5Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest157441918125
6Aston Villa157442323025
7Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton156632522324
8Bournemouth157352320324
9Brentford157263128323
10Fulham156542220223
11Tottenham HotspurSpurs1562731191220
12Newcastle UnitedNewcastle155551921-220
13Manchester UnitedMan Utd155461918119
14West Ham UnitedWest Ham155372028-818
15Everton143561421-714
16Leicester CityLeicester153572130-914
17Crystal Palace152761420-613
18Ipswich TownIpswich151681427-139
19Wolverhampton WanderersWolves1523102338-159
20Southampton1512121131-205


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!