Nick Pope will start against the Republic of Ireland at Wembley on Thursday; England manager Gareth Southgate says Jordan Pickford remains his No 1: "There is nobody who I think is challenging seriously at the moment to push him out of that position"
Thursday 12 November 2020 21:04, UK
Nick Pope will start in goal for England in Thursday's friendly against the Republic of Ireland.
Burnley goalkeeper Pope will start at Wembley in place of England's regular No 1, Jordan Pickford.
Pickford has faced scrutiny for his performances this season and was briefly dropped by Everton for their defeat at Newcastle earlier this month, before returning to the side for the 3-1 defeat to Manchester United.
England manager Gareth Southgate has given his backing to Pickford and says there is no one seriously challenging him for the England No 1 shirt.
"When people say I have been loyal to him, he has deserved that," said Southgate. "His performances for us have been excellent so that has not been a difficult decision for me.
"We have some competition for places but I would have to say that there is nobody who I think is challenging seriously at the moment to push him out of that position.
"In terms of how his club are looking after him, he has got a hugely experienced manager there who has won everything in the game. He is in a very good place."
Pickford could return to the starting line-up for England's crucial Nations League match in Belgium on November 15.
England are also due to face Iceland in the Nations League on November 18 but doubts remain over whether the match will take place.
Sky Sports News reported on Monday that England may have to forfeit the match, with UEFA expected to sanction Denmark's fixture with Iceland on Sunday.
Currently, the UK Government will not allow any of Iceland's players into the country to play the game if they have been in Denmark - where a new strain of coronavirus has been linked to the country's mink farms.
England goalkeeper coach Martyn Margetson takes an in-depth look at the techniques of Gareth Southgate's shot-stoppers Jordan Pickford, Nick Pope and Dean Henderson.
In a fascinating insight ahead of England's friendly with the Republic of Ireland and Nations League games with Belgium and Iceland, England goalkeeper coach Margetson has analysed the techniques of all three 'keepers in Southgate's squad.
Margetson gives a detailed evaluation of the techniques of Pickford, Pope and Henderson as they battle to be No 1 for the European Championships.
Aston Villa defender Tyrone Mings hailed Borussia Dortmund midfielder Jude Bellingham as a "fantastic talent" following his maiden call-up to the England squad.
The 17-year-old had originally been included in the U21 squad but was promoted to Gareth Southgate's senior camp after both Liverpool defender Trent Alexander-Arnold and Southampton's James Ward-Prowse withdrew through injury.
Bellingham moved to Borussia Dortmund from Championship side Birmingham during the summer and has already made six appearances in the Bundesliga.
"I have had the opportunity to see him in training over the past couple of days, and what a fantastic talent he looks," Mings said at an England press conference on Tuesday.
"I know he is from the blue side of Birmingham, but I have got no problem in admitting what a fantastic player he is and what a fantastic lad he seems."
