Jack Butland insists he has got enough time to establish himself as England’s No1 before next summer’s World Cup.
Butland, 24, will start against Lithuania and does not hide from his ambition to succeed Joe Hart as first choice even if the clock is ticking.
Stoke keeper Butland, who made his competitive debut for England in Lithuania two years ago, is desperate to show tonight and in the next eight months that he should be first choice in Russia.
It is rare to hear a player be so brazen about wanting to take a team mate’s place but Butland gave no diplomatic answers.
When asked whether he has got enough time to get the No1 shirt before next summer, Butland said: “I believe so, I don't believe it'll be purely on international form either.
"Obviously Joe is now our third most capped goalkeeper. He's rightly had the No1 spot for a long time. I'm just here to challenge that.
“It's really good between all of us keepers to be fair. We're all after the same shirt but we're keen to push each other to a high standard because that means success for us as a nation.
“We have brilliant rivalry but a great friendship too. Joe made some great saves against Slovenia and put in a really good performance for us which is what we want and I'm sure it would go the opposite way if someone else is in goal.”
Gareth Southgate will experiment in Vilnius with World Cup qualification guaranteed. The England boss will use a back three, blood some youngsters and wants to look at Harry Winks and Harry Maguire.
But Southgate is very keen to give Butland his chance in a competitive game so that he has to deal with the pressure of a proper match, deal with the pre-match media and get him ready so if he was called upon in a tournament then it would not be a problem.
However, it probably goes beyond that as there has long been a feeling that Southgate will eventually pick Butland ahead of Hart, having worked with him at under-21 level.
Butland appeared to be putting pressure on Hart in the build-up to the last Euros before a broken ankle suffered in Germany in March 2016 kept him out for 16 months and it has been a long road back.
It was a surprise to some when Southgate insisted last month that Hart was still his No1 because Butland has been in such good form for Stoke. But Butland is confident he can lay down a marker in Lithuania.
Butland added: “For me, as a goalkeeper, you can't really showcase anything. You have to deal with what comes. You have to be calm, consistent and there when you need to be. You don't get the ball enough like the outfield players to influence things.
“It's about doing things right, being that calming influence and coming away with a clean sheet and three points. From a goalkeeper's point of view, it's slightly different. I'm just looking to continue my club form and hopefully keep a clean sheet.
“If I don't play much (for England) until now and next summer then I would still back myself either way. I will do as well as I can whenever I can.
“My motivation, my desire to keep playing and being as good as I can. The injury was a big setback for me at a time when I thought there was an opportunity to take the spot. That was tough, to miss 16 months in the end.
“I'm still only 24 and playing in the Premier League and in the international setup. What's gone has gone. I'm looking forward to being successful for club and country.”