Joe Hart ready for World Cup battle

Joe Hart has insisted that he is ready for the battle to be England's number one at the 2018 World Cup.

Hart's lack of football during the 2017-18 campaign has led to suggestions that the on-loan Manchester City goalkeeper will be dropped from his previous role as number one for the tournament in Russia.

The 30-year-old, however, has said that he is more than prepared to battle for the Three Lions jersey ahead of this summer's competition.

"It's no different to any moment that I've been [playing football]," Hart told reporters. "Even when I was trying to get into my Sunday league team, it was the same script: people want to play football.

"That's no different to the one here. I am not here to answer critics. I am here to play football, enjoy what I do and try and help my team the best way I can."

England boss Gareth Southgate revealed last week that he has yet to decide who would be his number one stopper this summer.

Hart, Nick Pope, Jordan Pickford and Jack Butland have all been selected in the 27-man squad for the upcoming international friendlies with the Netherlands and Italy.