Mistake: Hart was third-choice during the World Cup in South Africa

Hodgson's view on Hart is  shared by Gary Neville, who was a member of the England defence during the years spent searching for Seaman’s successor, and he certainly sees the value of having someone of Hart's ability in goal at a tournament.

For Neville, be it in a penalty shootout or during open play, Hart could be the difference between success and failure at the European Championship.

'I’m not being disrespectful to the goalkeepers who I played with,' said Neville last week. 'But we have a great goalkeeper now and that may be the difference.

'Look how we went out in the past. Penalties in two quarter-finals, one second phase against Argentina and a semi-final.

'Now, but for a goalkeeper save or the width of a post, we are in semis and finals. The lines are so fine. So if we get to a quarter-final and our great goalkeeper saves two or three, then we are in the semi-final.

'I’m not saying that our goalkeepers haven't done well in penalty shootouts because it is a little bit of a lottery and we have not been very good at them. But Joe Hart is excellent.'

Indeed he is, in matches and in training, and it is clearly having a hugely positive effect on the defenders.

Hodgson spoke of the confidence Hart gives them and there is no doubt that England have impressed most at the back in their two warm-up games.

Hart is the difference and, in Poland and Ukraine, Hart could be the key.

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