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Hoddle: England fortunate Man City keeper Hart in top form

Former England coach Glenn Hoddle says it's fortunate Manchester City goalkeeper Joe Hart goes into the World Cup in good form.

Hoddle wrote for the London Evening Standard: "Goalkeepers won't win a World Cup tie but they just might win a tournament. Joe Hart will have to be one of the best goalkeepers in Brazil if England are going to be a surprise package and progress further than most people expect.

"There will be many better attacking teams in the tournament than England and, right from the opening tie against Italy with their No9 Mario Balotelli, Hart is going to be pretty busy, possibly even the focal point of the team.

"Ben Foster was given a vital run-out against Ecuador on Wednesday, when he had no chance with either goal, but Hart will be back for the final warm-up game tomorrow as Roy Hodgson will want to play his preferred team for at least one half to bed down the side in time for the opener.

"Hart looked alert and sharp coming off his line and made one or two good saves against Peru but he had long spells totally out of the game and that's where his concentration levels had to be spot on."

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