He is out of form to the extent of becoming a liability, his mistakes are too frequent and costly, while his goal probably seems like the Grand Canyon, but Joe Hart will play for England in the forthcoming World Cup qualifiers against Montenegro and Poland that will decide its 2014 fate.

Hart was blamed for two of Bayern Munich's goals in the 3-1 win at Manchester City on Wednesday. It is not just a poor run of form, the dip has been year-long and Hart has been a different goalkeeper to the reliable stopper he was at Euro 2012.

He has too often been unconvincing, particularly on set pieces, raising doubts about the belief England had found its long-term goalkeeper.