Hart hopeful of San Marino selection

England goalkeeper Joe Hart said he is keen to take on minnows San Marino in their upcoming World Cup qualifier.

Manchester City’s number one goalkeeper Hart has pleaded with national manager Roy Hodgson to remain in goal for Friday’s clash.

Hart has been in exceptional form for the Premier League champions, notably with a stunning display against Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League on Wednesday.

However, the 25-year-old wants to remain in goal for his country against the team ranked 207th in the world, so as to hold off the challenge of fellow keepers John Ruddy and Fraser Forster.

“I want to play every game,” Hart told reporters.

“I don’t see the number one shirt as being all mine – but I want to make it mine.

“I don’t feel pressure from anyone else, only from ¬myself, and the standards I set are high. I know if I keep to them then I am doing alright.

“I might not have a lot to do but you never know, do you?”

Hart also revealed that his ‘star-jump’ save – often used by Manchester United’s Peter Schmeichel – was in fact learned from the Great Dane’s son Kasper while the pair trained together at City.

“It’s only fair to say that I took the idea from Kasper. Sometimes it (the save) works and sometimes it doesn’t,” the former Shrewsbury man added.

“He introduced it to me and I also watched Peter do it a number of times. It seemed to work for him and it is something you need to use.”