Will Portsmouth damage David James's World Cup hopes?

There has been a lot of talk that unless David James got a move away from Portsmouth in January his World Cup chances would diminish. But what is that based on? His January options appeared to boil down to sitting on the bench at Spurs or moving to mid-table Stoke to compete for a place. Were either of those moves likely to bring him any more exposure than if he played for Pompey?

Admittedly there were reports that James was keen to avoid an automatic extension to his contract in the event of playing too many games. But was that ever a real issue? If Pompey are relegated then they will be forced to move on all their big earners anyway - and if they weren't then James would be left on good money with a Premier League berth for his last couple of years as a pro. It's hardly Hobsons choice.

David James was never going to move to a team competing in the Champions' League and the only English 'keeper in that position, Ben Foster, lost his place after a couple of poor games last Autumn. So really the only criteria for selection will be experience and form. James obviously has the experience, but how does he measure up on form?

David James has conceded 21 goals in 14 league games; this compares pretty well to his rivals for the World Cup.

Rob Green is probably the closest challenger and the West Ham stopper has conceded 38 goals in 23 games.

Joe Hart is the dark horse of the contenders and has only missed one league game for Birmingham this season, which was enforced against Man City, and he has conceded 22 in 22 games in total.

Paul Robinson is ever-present for Blackburn conceding 40 goals in 24 games.

Ben Foster is out of favour at Man United after shipping 8 goals in 8 games.

England 'keeper contenders, goals conceded per game:
1.0 Joe Hart, Ben Foster
1.5 David James
1.6 Rob Green
1.7 Paul Robinson

On form the goalkeeper to pick is Joe Hart, but David James has been playing behind the defence of a team that has been earmarked for relegation all season and yet still has a better goals per game record than Green and Robinson. Foster just hasn't played enough games to be considered.

If David James can now get a clear run of games to the World Cup there seems to be no reason why he won't be England's number one this summer - and on the way he might just be able to save Pompey from relegation into the bargain.

*Who should be England's 'keeper this summer? Let us know!