Roy Hodgson believes Joe Hart will be desperate to prove his doubters wrong when he lines up in goal against Germany on Tuesday.
For the first home international since 2009, Hart turned up at Wembley on Tuesday night and took a place on the substitutes' bench rather than on the pitch.
Being among the replacements has become a common feature for Hart at club level recently.
After a series of blunders for Manchester City, manager Manuel Pellegrini had no option but to drop the 26-year-old.
Hart will be back in action on Tuesday, though, and Hodgson believes his number one will be out to prove he remains one of the best stoppers around.
"He will be anxious to seize his chance and anxious to show everyone that he is still a very good goalkeeper," the England manager said.
Hodgson said earlier this weekend that he felt no need to have a word with Hart to calm his nerves ahead of such a big psychological test for the player.
The former Shrewsbury man has not been short of support over the last few weeks.
David Seaman was the latest ex-England international to give his backing to the player this week.
The former Arsenal stopper criticised Pellegrini for losing faith in Hart, but Hodgson does not believe the goalkeeper has been affected by being dropped and has no qualms about throwing him back in to the fold for the Germany match.
"Joe is in the right frame of mind to play," the 66-year-old said.
"He has been fine in training and I know (goalkeeping coach) Dave Watson has been happy with him so I could only answer in the affirmative that he is fine.
"He is ready. The Chile game was Fraser Forster's chance to show what he can do but (Hart) knows it's his chance on Tuesday night.
"This is what England manager has been like for me - selecting players who haven't played for a couple of weeks.
"Jermain Defoe played against Chile and he hasn't played for hardly any part of the season."
Celtic goalkeeper Forster picked two Alexis Sanchez goals out of his net on Tuesday on what Hodgson conceded was a "sobering" 2-0 defeat to Chile.
Any euphoria that remained following World Cup qualification has now evaporated and even though Germany will take a depleted squad to Wembley, on paper they still look a formidable opponent.
Much has been made about Germany's supposed superiority over England, but Hodgson believes his players will be desperate to prove they are capable of going toe to toe with such a dangerous team.
Hodgson said: "I am pretty sure that all of the XI who go out on Tuesday night will be anxious that they put any comparisons (with Germany) to bed and that they will show they are every bit as good and that is what I believe they will be," he said.
Hodgson's options were restricted on Saturday when Phil Jones withdrew from the squad due to a groin injury.
Liverpool striker Daniel Sturridge is carrying a thigh problem but is desperate to play.
Hodgson is expected to give an update on the fitness of Rickie Lambert and captain Steven Gerrard at his press conference on Monday afternoon but Kyle Walker has been declared fit..
Source: PA
