Fabio Capello is giving serious thought to installing Joe Hart as his No 1 goalkeeper at the World Cup – even though he has just 45 minutes’ worth of international experience behind him.

Former Shrewsbury Town ace Hart will win his second cap in tonight’s friendly with Mexico at Wembley, confirmation of the vast strides he has made this term following an excellent season on loan at Birmingham.

Hart’s aim is to get ahead of David James and Robert Green in the pecking order.

Green has started seven out of England’s last nine games and was favourite to be named in Capello’s starting line-up for the Group C opener against the United States in Rustenburg on June 12.

Yet Capello will not discount the idea of making Hart his No 1, having found himself in the rather strange position of not knowing who his best goalkeeper is less than three weeks before he puts his reputation on the line.

“I have confidence in Joe Hart,” said Capello.

“He will play 45 minutes against Mexico because it is important for him to play at Wembley.

“He did play in Trinidad & Tobago but the pressure at Wembley is really big.

Position

“Hart has played a lot of games this season and has improved a lot.

“It is very equal between the keepers and they are all starting in the same position.”

Hart admits he owes a big World Cup thank you to Birmingham City boss Alex McLeish.

He was contemplating a season sat on the bench watching Shay Given at Manchester City until McLeish stepped in to take the keeper on a year-long loan at Birmingham.

He said: “I owe a lot to Birmingham for giving me the opportunity to go and play there.

“Options were limited at Manchester City and Alex McLeish gave me a big chance to go and show what I could do.

“Fabio Capello made it very clear that you had to be playing regularly to stand a chance of being involved with England, so what happened at Birmingham is 100 per cent why I’m here.”

It means Hart can look forward to being part of a World Cup rather than having to watch it back home on the television.

By SIMON STONE