Joe Hart to show strength of character against Germany

ROY HODGSON has warned Joe Hart he faces a tough MENTAL test when he returns to the goalkeeping spotlight against Germany at Wembley on Tuesday.

Joe Hart will face a real mental test against Germany [LINDSEY PARNABY/AFP/GETTY]

Hart has been ditched by Manchester City and was an unused substitute in England’s 2-0 defeat by Chile on Friday night.

But he’ll be back to face Germany in what will be a much-changed team and England boss Hodgson said: “When you put on that England shirt – whether it’s a white shirt or a goalkeeper’s jersey – it will be a tough mental test.

“It is also a test of attitude. But I fully believe that Joe understands that and is ready for that.

“All I can do is give him the shirt and give him the chance to go out and play. After that he is going to have to face whatever he faces.

“If he plays well and keeps a clean sheet and helps us win the game then I’m sure people are going to be saying some very good things about him.

“But if he doesn’t and lets in a couple of easy goals, then he is going to have to accept that there will be criticism.\

“That is because of the world we live in and I can’t change things for players in that respect.

“What I can do is tell them, ‘Don’t beat yourself up about this’. I can’t tell them to be happy about it.

“I can’t stand here and give you false positives. We have just lost to Chile – basically because they were very good and we weren’t good enough.

“So that’s sobering and tough enough to take. We’ve had plenty of pats on the back recently but unfortunately this game of football also gives you slaps in the face.

“So I don’t think I need to have a chat with Joe about the mental side. He is an experienced keeper – he understands the way of the world.

Fraser Forster was given a lot of support on his debut by benched keeper Hart [SHAUN BOTTERILL/GETTY IMAGES]

“All I can do is give him the shirt and give him the chance to go out and play”

Roy Hodgson

“He understands that if he loses his place in the Manchester City team and is criticised for letting in a couple of goals, then what happened will happen.

“I don’t need to take him aside and say, ‘Joe, this is what happens in football’.
“I’ve got too much respect for him as a professional and as a man to do that.
“I always try to tell players things they haven’t talked about – but I won’t try to teach them to suck eggs.”

Skipper Steven Gerrard, Ashley Cole and Phil Jagielka will also return and there could be starting spots for Andros Townsend and Rickie Lambert.
Fraser Forster will stand down and hand the goalkeeping shirt back to Hart with a shake of his hand and a big thank you.

Hart was by the Celtic No.1’s side before his emotional, nerve-wracking debut on Friday.
And again at half-time the deposed keeper was in Forster’s ear with words of encouragement.
That meant a lot to Forster who has been the butt of endless jokes about spending as much time sitting on the bench as his circuit court judge dad, Brian.

Captain Steven Gerrard is set to return in time to face Germany [MIKE HEWITT/GETTY IMAGES]

Forster said: “Joe was fantastic. You know he talked to me a lot before the game and at half-time as well.

“Obviously he’s very experienced at this level. He’s a top-quality goalkeeper. He is a fantastic guy and I cannot speak highly enough of him.
“Joe is a top-class keeper. He has made save after save and he will come back stronger. He is a great lad. I speak with him all the time.

“He is one of the best footballers I have come across in football.”
Hodgson will look for a more experienced side to give a vastly improved performance after what was only his second defeat in 23 matches as England boss.

That prompted him to say: “Friday night was an unusual experience for me.
“I’ve lost plenty of games in my career but not as England manager. It was a sad occasion.
“When you don’t win, it is hard. But we did play a good team and credit to Chile, they handled us.
“But there is a weight of expectation on everybody. That is how it is – we are England.

“People want us to win. People want to see us play well and they expect us to do that – whether we are playing a so-called easier opponent or a so-called tougher opponent.”
Hodgson confirmed that Wayne Rooney, who played the full 90 minutes against Chile, will also face Germany.

The England boss stressed that he was under no pressure from Manchester United not to play Rooney in both games.
“The good thing about Wayne is that he thrives on playing 90-minute matches,” said Hodgson.