As the 2010 World Cup draws ever nearer speculation as to who will be England's first choice goalkeeper grows. Fabio Capello has yet to name his No1 and in theory any of the Premier League's English keepers could grab the spot. We take a look at the contenders.

Robert Green – Robert Green has been enjoying a good run as first choice keeper whilst David James has been sidelined by injury. Now that James has returned to fitness both men will be fighting it out as the current favourites for being first-choice.

Robert Green's best bits

A Robert Green mistake

Ben Foster – Ben Foster has struggled to fill the vast potential he was tipped to have early in his career. Injury and never being first choice at United have hampered his progress. However he has been a first team regular this season in Edwin Van der Sar's absence, but has made several mistakes which may show he's low on confidence at the moment. He will also need to retain his first team spot all season if he is to get into the World Cup Squad.

Ben Foster beaten by Paul Robinson

Ben Foster best bits

David James – Up until he was sidelined by injury in the Summer, David James was first choice England keeper and looked the most solid of the contenders. While still prone to some of the howlers which earned his Calamity James' nickname in his Liverpool days he has improved with age and has a big presence at the back and can pull off important saves. However, he will be almost 40 by the time the World Cup starts and this may put off Fabio Capello.

David James Blunder

David James great save

Paul Robinson – Paul Robinson plummeted from grace as an England player after the fateful Euro 2008 qualifier against Croatia. He returned to the squad during David James' absence but Robert Green was preferred over him. He has seen a return to the form he showed before Euro 2008 qualifying this season and should this continue it will be hard for Capello to overlook him come the summer.

That backpass

Paul Robinson best moments

Chris Kirkland – Chris Kirkland has only ever featured for the national side once, despite being in the squad on several occasions. Kirkland is another keeper who has struggled with injury during his career which has hampered his progress. He has however become a key part of the Wigan side and provides a solid backbone to the defence. His lack of international experience could prevent him from making the World Cup as there are not many games left for him to get that experience before the competition.

Kirkland lets Drogba beat him weakly through his legs.

Joe Hart – Joe Hart, like Chris Kirkland, is a rank outsider in the race to be England keeper. He was unlucky at Manchester City where just as he established himself as a very good first choice keeper he was replaced by new signing Shay Given. Now at Birmingham he has played an important role in Birmingham conceding so few goals for a newly promoted team. His lack of international experience could also stand against him.

Joe Hart gets beaten through the legs 4 times against Chelsea

Joe Hart recovers quickly to stop a Manchester United counter attack goal

Scott Carson – Scott Carson's only competitive England appearance was against Croatia where he became the second keeper to have a howler against them in that qualifying campaign. Since then Carson has come back into the squad on some occasions but only featured in the second half of a friendly against Germany. The fact that he is playing Championship football now could prove a stumbling block for him.

The Croatia game

Manuel Almunia – Much has been said about Manuel Almunia's eligibility for England. Many are saying he is Fabio Capello's best option, but at the same time many have said that he shouldn't play for England, including Capello himself. Should England's goalkeepers continue the blunder-prone ways and Almunia keep the great form he had last season, Capello and many others could be forced to eat their words.

Some of the great saves the Spaniard has pulled off in his time at Arsenal

Almunia scores an unfortunate own goal against Man City.