Joe Hart made his League debut as a teenager with Shrewsbury

Joe Hart's first professional coach has called for the Manchester City keeper to play in this summer's World Cup.

Hart, 23, has impressed during his season-long loan at Birmingham.

Dave Timmins, who coached Hart as a teenager at Shrewsbury, told BBC Radio Shropshire: "He's got to go to South Africa - and why can't he play?"

Hart made his debut for England in 2008, in a friendly against Trinidad and Tobago, having previously played for the U-19s and U-21s

In May 2006, City paid Shrewsbury an initial £600,000 for Hart, which could more than double depending on appearances.

During his time at St Andrews, Birmingham set a club-record 12-match unbeaten run in the top division.

"He's had some good people behind him - the likes of Tim Flowers, Eric Steele, and Dave Watson at Birmingham - and Joe's really matured ," Timmins added.

"We have some good young English goalkeepers in this country and you just wish some more club managers would play them."

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