Gareth Southgate confirms Jack Butland will start in goal for England against Lithuania ahead of Joe Hart
The Stoke City shot-stopper has been selected for the Three Lion's final World Cup qualifier on Sunday
ENGLAND boss Gareth Southgate has confirmed Jack Butland will start in the final World Cup qualifier against Lithuania.
With World Cup qualification already clinched, the boss is able to test all of his options on Sunday evening.
The Three Lions have blitzed group F and have only conceded three goals in nine matches, but their first-choice goalkeeper remains a hot topic.
Joe Hart, Jack Butland, Jordan Pickford and Fraser Forster are all options for Southgate ahead of the 2018 World Cup in Russia.
During the pre-match press conference, Southgate said: If you are playing for England there is always something to lose and for the guys who play there is an enormous amount to gain. It will be difficult.
"We will make changes and that will give us an opportunity to see people.
"Joe Hart's performance against Slovenia was excellent, not only his saves but his distribution and management of the game.
"We have other good keepers in the squad.
"Jacks form has been good and we want competition for places.
"We have a lot of players we have not been able to select over the last year.
"We have players with creativity and we did not perform to the level we would want to on Thursday.
"But qualification has been achieved and now we want to look at how we look forward."
Sunday's fixture will be played on an artificial pitch which could make it a tough test for Butland between the sticks.
In terms of the goalkeeping rivalry, Butland said: "We are all pushing each other. There is brilliant rivalry but also great friendship."
This selection comes just days after Stoke boss Mark Hughes reiterated his belief that Buckland should be the No 1 choice.
He said: "It's not my decision, it's a decision for Gareth Southgate. If there was a decision to be made, or if Gareth was thinking of making a decision, then my view is he's the natural keeper to go with.
"If Jack is called upon he will be ready, both physically and mentally.
"He's ready for that role."
