He's no ordinary Joe: James tips Hart to be future England No.1

Hart could play some part in tomorrow's friendly international against Trinidad and Tobago after an impressive season with Manchester City.

Safe hands: Joe Hart training with England

James was already aware of Hart's potential from his own spell at Eastlands, and knows England head coach Fabio Capello has to look to the future by introducing fresh blood from time to time.

But the Portsmouth keeper, still on cloud nine after tasting FA Cup success, is in no mood to surrender his England position without a fight.

James told PA Sport: "I've been singing Joe's praises for a long time, going back to the week we had in Thailand with Manchester City before I joined Portsmouth.

"The stuff he was doing out there during that short spell was impressive, when he played a couple of games, for such a young keeper.

"There is an eagerness and hunger about him. I think he has the potential to go all the way, so him being here in Trinidad with England is a very definite positive move by the manager.

"But, if it was Joe Hart or someone who was 35 years old, the viewpoint would always be the same for me - that I want to challenge and retain the England place as often as I can."

James added: "Your dream of dreams is that you play every single game from now until the World Cup final in 2010 and win it without anyone else getting a shout.

"But that would be illogical. Therefore people have to be experimented with and that includes the goalkeeping position.

"As much as I want to be the England number one forever, or as long as I can. you've got to understand that rotation is going to take place.

"With the likes of Joe doing what he is doing at the moment, competition is going to be good and that can only be beneficial for England as a team."

James has also been unsurprised by the progress made by midfielder Gareth Barry during the past 12 months.

He played alongside Barry for two seasons at Aston Villa from 1998-2000 and could already see the potential of the former Brighton trainee who has become an England regular during the last season.

James said: "Gareth was a tremendous youngster when I was at Villa and being the youngest player to get to 300 Premier League appearances says it all.

"I think the maturity of being Villa captain, and having a decent run with Villa over the last couple of years, has helped him out tremendously.

"I think you can see some progress that Villa are hopefully going to make, and that has given him some encouragement and the performances for England have been excellent.

"I am not surprised with his capabilities and just glad he is consistent enough to keep himself in the frame."