It’s not quite a crisis but England’s goalkeeping strength has taken a hit over the past fortnight as Joe Hart and Jack Butland have both suffered injuries.
Butland is set to miss Euro 2016 after fracturing an ankle during Saturday’s 3-2 victory over Germany while Hart is expected to get over a calf problem by the summer. Coach Roy Hodgson will, however, now need to re-assess his best options between the sticks.
Fraser Forster
The Southampton shot-stopper replaced Butland before half-time in England’s impressive win in Berlin on Saturday. The 28-year-old spent 10 months on the sidelines with a major knee injury but has returned in fine form, including a recent run of six straight clean sheets.
Tom Heaton
The former Manchester United prospect could be called into action in England’s friendly against Holland on Tuesday. Despite being uncapped at international level, the 29-year-old flourished at Burnley, impressing in the Premier League last season before helping the Clarets in their promotion push in the Championship.
Ben Foster
Once a regular in England squads, the West Brom goalkeeper suffered a cruciate knee ligament injury last year and his Euro 2016 hopes looked slim. But Foster has worked his way back into Tony Pulis’ starting XI and with eight caps to his name, the 32-year-old will remain in contention for France.
John Ruddy
Ruddy won his first and only England cap in the 2-1 friendly win over Italy in 2012 but slipped out of the pecking order after Norwich’s relegation from the Premier League in 2014. Now they are back, and with a short supply of English goalkeepers in the top flight, Ruddy is another name who could come into Hodgson’s plans.
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