Sign up to Miguel Delaney’s Reading the Game newsletter sent straight to your inbox for free Sign up to Miguel’s Delaney’s free weekly newsletter
Fighting for a place in England's World Cup squad might be tough work for Burnley 's Nick Pope but it beats riding a milk float in the early hours of the morning.
Pope was handed a maiden call-up for the forthcoming friendlies against the Netherlands and Italy, joining Joe Hart, Jordan Pickford and Jack Butland in battling for three seats on the plane to Russia.
He is the least experienced of the trio, both at Premier League and international level, but is enjoying by far the best season with long-term number one Hart failing to nail down a place at West Ham and his closest rivals suffering from the disappointing form of Everton and Stoke respectively.
England 23-man Nations League squadShow all 23 1 /23England 23-man Nations League squad England 23-man Nations League squad Jordan Pickford Club: Everton
Getty
England 23-man Nations League squad Jack Butland Club: Stoke City
Getty
England 23-man Nations League squad Alex McCarthy
Getty Images
England 23-man Nations League squad Kyle Walker Club: Manchester City
Getty
England 23-man Nations League squad Danny Rose Club: Tottenham Hotspur
Getty
England 23-man Nations League squad Trent Alexander-Arnold Club: Liverpool
Getty
England 23-man Nations League squad Kieran Trippier Club: Tottenham Hotspur
Getty
England 23-man Nations League squad Luke Shaw Club: Manchester United
Getty Images
England 23-man Nations League squad Joe Gomez Club: Liverpool
AFP/Getty Images
England 23-man Nations League squad John Stones Club: Manchester City
Getty
England 23-man Nations League squad Harry Maguire Club: Leicester City
Getty
England 23-man Nations League squad James Tarkowski Club: Burnley
Getty
England 23-man Nations League squad Dele Alli Club: Tottenham Hotspur
Getty
England 23-man Nations League squad Eric Dier Club: Tottenham Hotspur
Getty
England 23-man Nations League squad Jesse Lingard Club: Manchester United
Getty
England 23-man Nations League squad Jordan Henderson Club: Liverpool
Getty
England 23-man Nations League squad Fabian Delph Club: Manchester City
Getty
England 23-man Nations League squad Ruben Loftus-Cheek Club: Chelsea
Getty
England 23-man Nations League squad Adam Lallana Club: Liverpool
Getty
England 23-man Nations League squad Raheem Sterling Club: Manchester City
Getty
England 23-man Nations League squad Harry Kane Club: Tottenham
Getty
England 23-man Nations League squad Danny Welbeck Club: Arsenal
Getty
England 23-man Nations League squad Marcus Rashford Club: Manchester United
Getty
Pope faces a further challenge at Turf Moor where club captain Tom Heaton - who was part of Roy Hodgson's Euro 2016 squad - is returning to fitness after the long-term shoulder injury which first opened the door to his 25-year-old understudy.
But a glance at Pope's CV shows he has never had it easy.
Let go by boyhood club Ipswich as a teenager he went on to study business marketing and sports science at college, making ends meet with part-time jobs and resurfacing in football in the non-league hinterlands with Bury Town.
"Obviously when you get released at 16 you think making it here is a far possibility," he said. "But it allowed me to get into the men's game and play men's football at that young age which helped me springboard and helped me grow as a player.
"I had a couple of jobs alongside... I worked in Next and on a milk round. I was on an electric float, a 4am-er in Soham. It didn't pay much."
After taking in his new surroundings at the lavishly appointed St George's Park, Pope was invited the reminisce about his experiences lower down the ladder.
Pope has taken a long journey to get this far (AFP) As with the likes of Jamie Vardy and Rickie Lambert before him, Pope saw plenty of football's less glamorous side before earning his international spurs.
"I've played in some cold, dark leagues. I was in Bury Town Reserves in the Essex and Suffolk Border League, I think that was tier seven," he said. "Brightlingsea was a rough one. I hope the people of Brightlingsea don't mind. Little Oakley...some places you need a map. (It was) 10 people and a dog.
"It's been a hard ride. But you have to prove yourself at every level to get to the next one."
Now, after a revelatory campaign which has seen him register 10 clean sheets since taking over from the stricken Heaton in September, he is looking to make one last leap into new territory.
World Cup 2018 official kitsShow all 51 1 /51World Cup 2018 official kits World Cup 2018 official kits World Cup 2018 kits The kits for the 2018 World Cup have started to be released ... but which one is your favourite?
Getty
World Cup 2018 official kits Russia home They say: A clean design in red and white, inspired by the 1988 USSR jersey. Our verdict: Literally cannot muster up the enthusiasm to write anymore words about this snorefest.
Adidas
World Cup 2018 official kits Russia away They say: A smart strip in white and blue with subtle geometric pattern. Our verdict: Now that’s more like it! Big mistake not making this the home kit in our ever so humble opinion.
Adidas
World Cup 2018 official kits Saudi Arabia home and away Both home and away kits yet to be released. Will be supplied by Nike. Will probably feature a bit of green.
AFP/Getty Images
World Cup 2018 official kits Egypt home They say: A ‘sleek and modern’ kit with sublimated check pattern on the front and white Adidas strips down the sides. Our verdict: Decent. Would make a nice Manchester United kit.
Adidas
World Cup 2018 official kits Uruguay home They say: A clean design in ‘silver lake blue’, with an ‘engineered jacquard graphic’ in the middle of the jersey. Our verdict: What’s Spanish for ‘horrific v neck’?
Puma
World Cup 2018 official kits Portugal home They say: The red base from Portugal’s Euro 2016 triumph is retained, with Nike introducing ‘gold-metallic trim’ and a green collar. Our verdict: Yup, it’s a template. But that doesn’t stop it from looking smart.
Nike
World Cup 2018 official kits Portugal away They say: An all-white design inspired by the country’s naval history. Our verdict: Cleaner than Kim Woodburn’s kitchen. Lovely stuff.
Nike
World Cup 2018 official kits Spain home They say: Made by Adidas and inspired by the classic 1994 home strip. Our verdict: GET IT ON MY TORSO NOW.
Getty Images
World Cup 2018 official kits Spain away They say: Another 1980s inspired kit. ‘Halo blue’ with bright orange trim. Our verdict: It’s … okay. Not a patch on that smashing home effort, mind.
Adidas
World Cup 2018 official kits Morocco home and away Both kits, to be produced by Adidas, are yet to be released.
Valery Sharifulin/TASS
World Cup 2018 official kits Iran home and away Same again – to be produced by Adidas but yet to be released. Hurry up lads!
Getty Images
World Cup 2018 official kits France home They say: A traditional look with blue jersey, white shorts and red socks. Our verdict: Another template. Another sexy kit. Damn you, Nike!
Nike
World Cup 2018 official kits France away They say: White shirt, blue sleeves and white socks – with a distinct graphic print. Our verdict: Why couldn’t Nike have given this to England?! As smooth as Zinedine Zidane’s shiny bald head.
Nike
World Cup 2018 official kits Australia home and away Move along, nothing to see here. Nike’s Aussie kits are yet to be released.
Getty
World Cup 2018 official kits Peru home They say: The last ever Umbro kit for the country – Marathon Sports take over next year. Our verdict: You don’t get more traditional than this. A proper football kit for proper football men. You can shove your xG up your a***, etc.
Umbro
World Cup 2018 official kits Denmark home and away Yet to be released. But they’re to be manufactured by Hummel. So they’re bound to be good.
Action Plus via Getty Images
World Cup 2018 official kits Argentina home They say: A classic effort that draws inspiration from the 1993 Copa America strip, coincidentally the last time Argentina won a major title. Our verdict: A stylish strip befitting of little Leo Messi. Top drawer.
Adidas
World Cup 2018 official kits Argentina away They say: Black jerseys with neat white and blue trim, white shorts, black socks. Our verdict: Woof. Coming to a five-a-side court near you very soon.
Adidas
World Cup 2018 official kits Iceland home They say: An Errea produced kit which incorporates the traditional home colours of blue, red and white. Our verdict: Nice, if a little bit bargain basement.
Errea
World Cup 2018 official kits Iceland away They say: The reverse of the home shirt. Our verdict: Yes, we can confirm that this is the exact reverse of the home shirt.
Errea
World Cup 2018 official kits Croatia home They say: Nike offer a new interpretation of the team’s iconic checker design, with much larger checks than usual. Our verdict: Will look great on Luka Modric if he can keep himself out of prison long enough to wear it.
World Cup 2018 official kits Croatia away They say: The same template as the home shirt, but with a black and dark blue colour scheme. Our verdict: Very, very nice. A slightly gothic interpretation of the home shirt we all know and love. The football kit equivalent of Late Night Hollyoaks.
World Cup 2018 official kits Nigeria home They say: An eclectic combination of bright green, white and black in an especially bold design. Our verdict: Outstanding. Sensational. Sublime. The nicest kit at this year’s World Cup and destined to be worn at Boiler Room sessions from now until 2046.
Nike
World Cup 2018 official kits Nigeria away They say: A clean design in dark green with subtle zigzag print. Our verdict: Oh dear, clearly Nike used all their budget on the home shirt. About as exciting as a Songs of Praise marathon.
Nike
World Cup 2018 official kits They say: A traditional effort with subtle zigzag pattern. Our verdict: Why change a winning formula? Bright, bold and very much Brazil.
Nike
World Cup 2018 official kits Brazil away They say: Based on the same design as the home shirt. Royal blue with a unique star pattern covering the front. Our verdict: Yeah, fine, okay.
Nike
World Cup 2018 official kits Switzerland home and away Not released yet, soz.
Getty
World Cup 2018 official kits Costa Rica home and away The bad news: the kits haven’t been released yet. The good news: they’re being made by New Balance, so will be peng.
Getty Images
World Cup 2018 official kits Serbia away They say: White with red trim, with the nation’s flag running down the centre. Our verdict: Very difficult to criticise. But we'll have a go: the collar is a bit naff. Other than that, no complaints. Now be on your way, Serbia away.
Puma
World Cup 2018 official kits Germany home They say: White, black and inspired by the iconic 1990 strip. Our verdict: You’ve already seen this, and you already love it. If only it featured the colours of the German flag, though…
Adidas
World Cup 2018 official kits Germany away They say: The first green German jersey since Euro 2012, inspired by the 1994 away effort. Our verdict: It's Adidas. It's green. It's great. Let me wear you, Germany away.
Adidas
World Cup 2018 official kits Mexico home They say: Manufactured by Adidas, featuring the country’s traditional green colour with white applications. Our verdict: Yum.
Adidas
World Cup 2018 official kits Mexico away They say: Draws inspiration from Mexico’s kits of the 1950s. White with a green, white and red chest stripe. Our verdict: Looks a bit like something Roger Federer would wear to win the Australian Open. And we’re very much okay with that.
Adidas
World Cup 2018 official kits Sweden home They say: The traditional yellow and blue, with a subtle jacquard pattern on the front. Our verdict: Nothing to write home about, to be honest. Unless you’re writing the solitary word ‘BORING’, that is.
Adidas
World Cup 2018 official kits Sweden away They say: Adidas claim the away kit features ‘a sleek design in blue and yellow’. Our verdict: That subtle pattern is very nice. One of the better ‘plain Jane’ kits to be worn in Russia.
Adidas
World Cup 2018 official kits South Korea home They say: A classic red design with dark blue shorts and red socks. Our verdict: Boring. Plain. Routine. Run-of-the-mill. Humdrum, Dreary. Banal. Unoriginal. Spiritless. Insipid. Etc.
Nike
World Cup 2018 official kits South Korea away They say: Predominantly white, with a bold blue and red graphic print subtly inspired by a tiger pattern and the Taegeuk symbol. Our verdict: Much better, although it does look a bit like a crayon wielding toddler has been let loose on the new England shirt. Which nevertheless remains a huge improvement.
Nike
World Cup 2018 official kits Belgium home They say: A bold design that takes inspiration from the iconic 1984 top. Our verdict: Cracking. Atones for those atrocious Burrda efforts they’ve been palmed off with at the last few tournaments.
Adidas
World Cup 2018 official kits Belgium away They say: Yellow and black with a slight all-over graphic print. Our verdict: Yet another sublime Adidas away kit. *Wolfwhistles*
Adidas
World Cup 2018 official kits Panama home and away Yet to be released.
AFP/Getty Images
World Cup 2018 official kits Tunisia home They say: White with red crew-neck collar and cuffs, and a dotted gradient graphic. Our verdict: If this football shirt was a British sporting personality, it would be Steve Davis.
Uhlsport
World Cup 2018 official kits Tunisia away They say: The Tunisia 2018 World Cup away shirt is red with white details. Our verdict: If this football shirt was a British sporting personality, it would be Steve Davis.
Uhlsport
World Cup 2018 official kits England home They say: Manufactured by Nike, with a white base with blue for logos and a modern knit pattern on the front. Our verdict: About as inspiring as Iain Duncan Smith. This country really is going to the dogs.
Nike
World Cup 2018 official kits England away They say: Red all over with a subtle St George’s Cross motif across the front. Our verdict: It’s red. It has a bit of a pattern thing going on across the front. We’ve already forgotten about it. Next.
Nike
World Cup 2018 official kits Poland home and away To be made by Nike, but yet to be released.
Getty
World Cup 2018 official kits Senegal home and away To be made by Puma, but yet to be released. IT'S TOO LATE FOR OUR POLL NOW, SENEGAL.
Getty
World Cup 2018 official kits Colombia home They say: Produced by Adidas with a traditional colour scheme, inspired by the iconic home shirts worn in the 1970s and 80s. Our verdict: Yessssssss. If it’s good enough for James Rodriguez it’s good enough for us.
Adidas
World Cup 2018 official kits Colombia away They say: Predominantly royal blue, with bright orange trim and a jazzy pattern down one side of the shirt. Our verdict: Very solid. Colombia right up there with Germany for the best pair of shirts in the business.
Adidas
World Cup 2018 official kits Japan home They say: According to Adidas: ‘the shirt’s bespoke look and graphic takes inspiration from traditional samurai armour’. Our verdict: Really lovely kit. Deserves better than the inevitable group stage exit.
Adidas
World Cup 2018 official kits Japan away They say: An understated all-white kit with subtle grey trim. Our verdict: Adidas deliver a top-draw kit yet again. A lovely way to round off the gallery. Thanks for reading!
Adidas
Whether it comes in Amsterdam on Friday, at Wembley against the Azzurri four days later or even on the biggest stage of all in Russia, Pope has his eyes on the big prize.
"There's got to be one number one (with England) and I want it to be me, who wouldn't?" he said. "It's a massive honour. You've got to be hungry in football and you've got to be greedy as well. It's a new challenge and a challenge I want to take on.
"It's obviously a day I never thought I'd see come and, now it has, it's massive elation for me and everyone close to me."
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies