David Edwards believes former Shrewsbury Town team-mate Joe Hart has the perfect package to become England’s No 1 - as the pair prepare to go head-to-head for the first time in seven years.Full Welsh international Edwards believes Hart’s inclusion in Fabio Capello’s squad for the forthcoming friendlies against USA and Trinidad & Tobago is well-deserved.
The Wolves midfielder, who will come up against Hart for the first time since Shrewsbury schoolboy football when England under-21s take on Wales at Wrexham on Thursday night, believes the Manchester City goalkeeper will soon be recognised as England’s finest.
“I’m over the moon for Joe,” said Edwards. “He’s a top lad who has worked hard and it’s paying off.
“As far as I can see, he’s in the top three or four goalkeepers in the Premiership already and I’m sure he will be first choice for England in the next year or so when he has got another season of Premiership football under his belt.
“Joe has got the ability and the temperament and he has got his head screwed on.
“Nothing fazes him and he is the person I believe in most to deal with this.
“I don’t think he quite understands the enormity of what he is doing in playing against the world’s best players every week. But I think it’s that kind of thinking which stands him in good stead.”
Shrewsbury managing director Rob Bickerton today admitted officials at Oteley Road were thrilled to see one of their former players break on to the full international stage.
Town are due to receive a £500,000 cash windfall if and when Hart makes his senior debut.
And, while Bickerton refused to confirm the size of the payment agreed as part of the £1.5m deal which took the goalkeeper to Manchester City in 2006, he confirmed the clause would be triggered if Hart lined up in either of the two friendlies.
“It’s wonderful for the club to see one of the players they have had from a very young age in the full England squad,” he said.
“Everyone is delighted for Joe, and I can confirm there will be a benefit to the club if he plays in either game.”
Meanwhile, the future of secretary John Howarth was today cast in doubt as managing director Rob Bickerton confirmed the club were “considering making the position redundant.”
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