World Cup 2018: Peter Shilton urges Gareth Southate to make Jordan Pickford his first-choice goalkeeper

The Everton goalkeeper has just three England caps but appears to be ahead of Jack Butland and Nick Pope in the race to start England’s World Cup campaign

Jordan Pickford has been backed by England legend Peter Shilton to start the World Cup campaign (Getty)

England football great Peter Shilton says Jordan Pickford should be the team’s first-choice goalkeeper at the World Cup 2018 ahead of his rivals for the gloves in Russia Jack Butland and Nick Pope.

“I would go for Pickford,” Shilton, who represented England in three World Cup campaigns from 1982 to 1990, told Sky Sports.

“I think Pickford is a little bit quicker around his feet, big Jack is great on the big stuff but just occasionally he gets done a little bit around his feet. That would be one slight criticism I would make in what is a terrific ‘keeper.

“I think we’re going to know about the goalkeepers when they get to the World Cup and the pressure is on, you never know until the big stage.”

Butland started for England as the team concluded their warm-up fixtures with a 2-0 win over Costa Rica on Thursday. They kick-off their World Cup campaign against Tunisia on June 18 before facing Panama and Belgium.

Reuters