My Spurs rival is still No1

But the Aston Villa star, currently on loan from Liverpool, says under-fire Robinson is still the country's best. The shot-stoppers have known each other since the days when they were beginning their careers with Leeds United.

Robinson had cemented his place as England's No.1 since joining Tottenham for just £1.5million in May 2004. However, he has come under pressure after a series of below-par performances for both club and country this season.

Carson, six years younger than his 28-year-old friend, has made significant progress since being transferred to Liverpool and loaned to Charlton Athletic before Aston Villa.

And he says training alongside Robinson and Portsmouth goalkeeper David James for the Euro 2008 qualifiers has given him a massive boost.

Carson is expected to start the friendly against Austria in Vienna and said: "I've known Paul since I was a young lad at Leeds and I have the utmost respect for both him and for David James.

"They're top professionals and every time we join up together with England there is always plenty of banter which has helped me to settle into the squad.

"They also both pass on plenty of advice and experience which is invaluable. David James has been a professional for a long time now and has loads of experience while Paul is the current No1 so any time they have something to say I'm prepared to listen and give it my full attention."

Carson says it will be the greatest moment in his young career if he wins his first cap, adding to the Metro: "I'm delighted to be named in the squad and to be recognised as one of the top three keepers in the country. It's a great honour so it'll be a proud moment if I am selected.

"And if I am lining up in the tunnel and out there for the national anthem I'll be thinking of family, friends and all those people who have helped me in my career."

The standard of English goalkeeping has been under fire in the past couple of years with fears the Premier League had been overrun by foreign imports. But Carson insists he has had to fend off strong competition just to make it into Steve McClaren's squad.

"There must be seven or eight English goalkeepers playing in the Premier League and that has to be the highest amount for years.

"As well as the three of us in the England squad there is Robert Green at West Ham, Chris Kirkland at Wigan and Joe Hart at Manchester City. The competition is really good and hopefully it is going to improve standards even higher."