Source: Eurosport
Hart backing for 'tip-top' James
Portsmouth boss Paul Hart believes David James will keep his team in the Premier League this season and remain England's number one.
James has been a key figure in Pompey's fight to preserve their top-flight status, and has played a starring role in a run of 12 points from the last six games since Hart took over as team boss from sacked Tony Adams.
The keeper also continues to fight off the claims of the much younger Ben Foster, Joe Hart and Rob Green for his England job and admirers believe he could even emulate Dino Zoff, the Italian who led his country to World Cup glory, aged 40, in 1982.
Pompey boss Hart - whose side can virtually clinch survival in the next two games at home to bottom club West Brom on Saturday and mid-table Bolton a week later - is certainly a fan of James.
"He is in absolutely tip-top nick," he said.
"And if you look at his performances for us they send a huge message to the other players in the squad. It says you really, really don't want to go down - it's not a great feeling."
James suffered the dreaded drop before in his days at West Ham and, more recently, fought a desperate relegation scrap with Manchester City before arriving at Fratton Park.
He recaptured his England number one role after former international boss Steve McClaren realised the blunder of axing him from the squad and he has been Fabio Capello's pick since the Italian took over.
Hart said: "If you are asking me whether he should be there for the World Cup I say yes, absolutely.
"For me there's nobody better around and I really can't see any reason he can't play on at this level for a number of years yet.
"What it is that keeps you going and still wanting to play at that age I don't know - but it's got to be about pride, desire and condition and David's got all that. He's also a very talented lad."
There was another clean sheet for James - who recently set a record of 541 Premier League appearances - in last Saturday's goalless draw at Hull, which pushed Pompey one more point clear of the bottom three.
But Hart insists there will be no complacency despite Saturday's opposition having failed to win in 11 games.
He said: "We will stick to what has been working for us in the last few games and we will prepare for West Brom as though they are Chelsea.
"If you take your foot off the pedal you invite a problem in this tough league. Manchester United's recent results have shown even the best team in the country can get in to trouble."
Midfielder Sean Davis is set to miss out again with the knee injury that sidelined him for the game at Hull while Glen Johnson is suspended after his red card in that match. Younes Kaboul, at right-back, and Richard Hughes are the likely deputies.
