Kiely sees England keeper problem

Kiely played 11 times for the Republic of Ireland

West Brom's former Charlton goalkeeper Dean Kiely believes England's number one spot remains a potential weakness for next summer's World Cup.

The veteran stopper represented England at youth and under-17 level, but opted to play for the Republic of Ireland senior side, winning 11 caps.

He told BBC London 94.9: "Nobody has stuck their head above the parapet and said 'the jersey is mine'.

"In June, the people getting the shirt have to be in the form of their lives."

He added: "Two or three years ago, we would have been in a fantastic position. We had a great crop of goalkeepers: Ben Foster, Chris Kirkland, Paul Robinson, Robert Green, with Joe Hart emerging.

On current form you would have to give it to Joe Hart

Dean Kiely

"The one who I think finds himself in a real quandary is Ben Foster. After his time at Watford, I think he would have expected to be playing for Manchester United every week now, setting the world alight.

"It's difficult because [England boss] Fabio Capello says he wants people in form who are playing and contributing for their team but all these keepers now are coughing and spluttering and in no real run of form.

"Even Robert Green, who did well when he was in for England, finds himself in a struggling side at West Ham. The pressures are different when your side is struggling around the bottom."

Kiely, who turns 40 next year, is the same age as Portsmouth's David James, with whom he competed for the top spot at Fratton Park in 2006. He fears James is struggling with the rigours of daily training.

"The only concern with him is the niggling injuries - the knees, the calves or whatever it may be," he said.

"When he's playing, he takes a couple of days off between games. But if that's happening and you're not playing the games and you're not in a great run of form, it's difficult and it's all about timing.

"I think the next six or seven months are the most important. You want to make an impression leading into that World Cup."

With that in mind, it would seem that Manchester City goalkeeper Joe Hart is in with a good chance of selection given his recent performances on loan at Premier League form team Birmingham City.

However, Kiely says that Hart needs to prove himself over a longer period, given the 22-year-old is one of the least experienced goalkeepers at Capello's disposal.

"On current form you would have to give it to Joe Hart. But the last four to six weeks aren't the be all and end all for World Cup selection - there has to be a run of form and it can't be weeks, it has to be months.

"From now until selection you've got to be flat out to show Capello what you're about."