Monday, 18 November 2013

HART READY FOR GERMANY CLASH - HODGSON

For the first home international since
2009, Hart turned up at Wembley on
Tuesday night and took a place on the
substitutes' bench rather than on the
pitch.
Being among the replacements has
become a common feature for Hart at
club level recently.
After a series of blunders for Manchester
City, manager Manuel Pellegrini had no
option but to drop the 26-year-old.
Hart will be back in action on Tuesday,
though, and Hodgson believes his number
one will be out to prove he remains one
of the best stoppers around.
"He will be anxious to seize his chance
and anxious to show everyone that he is
still a very good goalkeeper," the England
manager said.
Hodgson said earlier this weekend that he
felt no need to have a word with Hart to
calm his nerves ahead of such a big
psychological test for the player.
The former Shrewsbury man has not been
short of support over the last few weeks.
David Seaman was the latest ex-England
international to give his backing to the
player this week.
The former Arsenal stopper criticised
Pellegrini for losing faith in Hart, but
Hodgson does not believe the goalkeeper
has been affected by being dropped and
has no qualms about throwing him back in
to the fold for the Germany match.
"Joe is in the right frame of mind to play,"
the 66-year-old said.
"He has been fine in training and I know
(goalkeeping coach) Dave Watson has
been happy with him so I could only
answer in the affirmative that he is fine.
"He is ready. The Chile game was Fraser
Forster's chance to show what he can do
but (Hart) knows it's his chance on
Tuesday night.
"This is what England manager has been
like for me - selecting players who
haven't played for a couple of weeks.

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