Former Shrewsbury Town goalkeeper Joe Hart has been backed to force his way into Fabio Capello’s England squad for next summer’s World Cup.

Hart, currently on loan at Birmingham from Manchester City, is locked in battle with David James, Robert Green, Ben Foster and Paul Robinson for the three goalkeeping spots in South Africa.

And Birmingham City chief Alex McLeish believes the former Meole Brace School pupil will be a member of the 23-man squad flying the flag for England next June.

“I think England like Joe and he has got every opportunity,” said McLeish.

“He’s got a great chance of making the World Cup squad. He’s a massive presence. He works really hard and we’ve got a goalkeeping coach who drives him relentlessly in Dave Watson.

“Joe has also tidied up his game on a couple of things.

“Some things he’s been absolutely superb at and we’ve loved from day one. Some things he’s tidied up in recent weeks and he looks a real prospect for England.”

McLeish stuck by Hart after a couple of early season errors,and the 22-year-old has responded by helping Blues climb into the top half of the Barclays Premier League.

McLeish said: “Joe has done well. He’s answered a few critics. People were pressing me to make a change. They don’t know him as well as I do.

“He showed the character. Maik Taylor (Birmingham’s other goalkeeper) had a fantastic shut-out in the Manchester City game when Joe was ineligible to play but Joe was chosen for the next one and he had a superb all-round game at Liverpool.

“He had been a little bit hesitant in taking crosses against Sunderland and people started to question that.

“But there were so many other good things that he does which maybe the layman doesn’t notice.”

McLeish is also not without hope that he can convert Hart’s loan move from City into a long-term deal.

He said: “Is there any chance of the move becoming permanent? There’s a chance. But there’s a long way to go before that could happen.

“Would it be difficult for Joe to go back to Manchester City and not play regular football? Yes. Joe won’t want that.”

By James Garrison