Former York City goalkeeper Nick Pope has been selected for England’s squad at this summer’s World Cup.
The 26-year-old was today included in manager Gareth Southgate’s 23-man party travelling to Russia next month. He’s joined by Everton’s Jordan Pickford and Jack Butland of Stoke City.
They were chosen ahead of on loan West Ham United keeper Joe Hart, while Arsenal midfielder Jack Wilshere is another notable absentee. Liverpool’s Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain was already ruled out by injury.
England face Tunisia, Panama and Belgium in Group G, starting with Tunisia on 18th June and followed by Panama (24th June) and Belgium (28th June).
Southgate’s team, who have a couple of home friendlies lined up against Nigeria and Costa Rica before then, remained unbeaten during their qualifying campaign.
Pope made 24 appearances for the Minstermen under former manager Nigel Worthingon during their successful League Two play-off campaign of 2013-14.
The on loan Charlton Athletic keeper remarkably maintained sixteen clean-sheets then – and goes into the tournament on the back of an excellent season as Burnley qualified for Europe with their seventh-placed finish in the Premier League.
England Squad: Butland, Pickford, Pope, Alexander-Arnold, Cahill, Jones, Walker, Stones, Maguire, Trippier, Rose, Young, Dier, Alli, Lingard, Henderson, Delph, Loftus-Cheek, Vardy, Rashford, Sterling, Welbeck, Kane
On Standby: Lallana, Heaton, Tarkowski, Cook, Livemore
