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Jack Butland capable of being England's No. 1 keeper - Stuart Pearce

Related Topics: Jack Butland, Stuart Pearce

Stuart Pearce believes Jack Butland has "all the credentials'' to be England's first-choice goalkeeper at the 2018 World Cup.

Joe Hart's long-held status as No. 1 is under greater scrutiny than ever and, with a year to go before the tournament in Russia, the challengers are lining up.

Jordan Pickford, Tom Heaton and Fraser Forster all have their advocates but national boss Gareth Southgate is a big admirer of Stoke stopper Butland, who made his international comeback against France in June following a year of injury.

Pearce knows him well, having managed him at England Under-21 level and again in the Great Britain Olympic team, and is convinced he has the pedigree.