Former Shrewsbury town goalkeeper Joe Hart has admitted it is a “crazy” thought that he will be setting off for the World Cup today.

Hart’s presence in Fabio Capello’s 23-man England squad was one of the least debated once he was one of only three goalkeepers to make the provisional party for the two-week altitude training camp in Austria.

The 23-year-old former Meole Brace School pupil has made a pretty big impression too, earning a couple of caps as a second-half substitute against Mexico and Japan, and producing some excellent saves in the latter outing in Graz on Sunday.

By tomorrow morning, he will be in South Africa, preparing for the biggest period in his fledgling career.

And as someone who spent his youth watching the World Cup on TV, it has taken some getting used to that he will actually be part of it.

“Just going to the World Cup is really exciting,” he said.

“I can’t really believe it.”It’s crazy, you know? I can’t say I’ve even dreamed of it because it has come so quickly.

“I was quite happy watching the World Cup on TV and being part of the vibe back home because it is such an exciting time. Everything stands still for the games. If I wasn’t in the squad I’d be cheering England on as a fan, so to be part of it is so exciting, I can’t really put it in to words.”

The chances are Hart will be watching the opening match against the United States on June 12 too.

However, his vantage point will be the substitutes’ bench; a fine reward in itself for an outstanding season on loan with Birmingham.

Yet there is an outside chance it could get even better for the former Shrewsbury star as Capello is still refusing to say who his No 1 keeper is going to be.

West Ham’s Robert Green is emerging as the favourite, although Hart does not believe the uncertainty is a problem given the respect he has for the way Capello operates.

“It’s not that difficult not knowing,” he said.

“From working with the manager on a few occasions now you have to respect that’s the way he’s done it throughout his career, and he’s had a very successful career.

“He’s the manager and he does it his way. There are three of us vying for the same spot, but we’ve got every respect for each other and we’ll all back whoever ends up as No 1.”

By SIMON STONE