Mark Hughes presses Jack Butland's claim to be England No 1: 'If you’re in the business of winning games you have to go with the guy that’s in form'

• e-mail

Mark Hughes believes Gareth Southgate should base his England selections on current form rather than previous experience.

Southgate considered picking Jack Butland instead of Joe Hart for September’s World Cup qualifiers but ultimately stuck with England’s established No 1.

But Hughes is adamant Butland deserves his chance having recovered fully from a serious ankle injury that kept the Stoke goalkeeper on the sidelines for a year.

Jack Butland has been in great form in the Premier League for Stoke so far this season

Butland has been in fine form this season and produced a number of good saves in the 2-2 draw against Manchester United. But Hughes thinks Southgate may already have Hart in mind for Russia 2018.

‘Given the respective cases for the number of goalkeepers Gareth could have gone with – my view is it is either Joe or Jack – I thought Jack clearly presented a really strong case to be picked,’ said Hughes.

‘I understand maybe to a certain extent that Gareth would want to be loyal but sometimes you have to deal with the here and now rather than think about what’s gone on in the past. 

'If you’re in the business of winning games you have to go with the guy that’s in form.’ Hughes added: ‘I can understand that Joe is probably a strong influence in the dressing room and you have to take all those things into account, it’s not just about form.

Joe Hart was picked as England's No 1 for the World Cup qualifiers with Malta and Slovakia

‘So I’m probably being a little bit simplistic saying that. But purely on form then Jack had a really good case in my view.

‘I was interested in what Gareth said in terms of justifying the decision in saying Joe is the best option. It sounded like he’d already made the decision for Russia. I don’t know, only time will tell.

‘Form fluctuates and comes and goes, the quality is always there in terms of both keepers. That doesn’t go away but form can.’ 

Hughes also scoffed at the idea Butland, 24, might be more patient given his time out of action. ‘I’m not sure he’s changed that much. It’s a brave face but I don’t think he’s patient,’ Hughes said.

Mark Hughes feels that Gareth Southgate hay already have Hart in mind for Russia 2018