James believes Brentford keeper Moore can play for England

David James believes Brentford goalkeeper Simon Moore has the potential to play for England.

James, who won 53 England caps, has been impressed by the 22-year-old and feels Moore can take heart from the progress of Joe Hart.

Manchester City keeper Hart plied his trade in the lower divisions before establishing himself in the Premier League and at international level.

And James told West London Sport: “Simon Moore has every chance of playing for England.

“There is a significant lack of English goalkeepers and it’s something I think about a lot and something that frustrates me a lot.

“[But] look at Joe Hart, the current England number one, and the background he has, playing for Shrewsbury, Tranmere, Blackpool and Birmingham before being first choice at City – there is hope for keepers like Simon Moore.

“What is crucial with Simon is that he is playing as a number one at a young age, and keeping Richard Lee – a former Premier League goalkeeper – out of the team.

“Simon is an exciting keeper at a very decent football club in Brentford, and they could quite well go up to the Championship this season.

“And the longer Simon stays in the side there the larger his dot on the radar becomes.”

Moore, from the Isle of Wight, was snapped up by the Bees having been released by Southampton as a teenager.

He has produced a number of impressive performances – including in the recent FA Cup clash at home to Chelsea.

But to make the step up to top-flight level, he will have to buck what James sees as an alarming trend.

“English goalkeepers are suffering and it’s not necessarily their fault either,” said James.

“Premier League clubs – your Tottenhams and your Arsenals – they won’t touch young English keepers.

“How many of the 20 first-choice goalkeepers in the Premier League are English? Three, maybe four?

“The way goalkeeping coaching has been going in this country over the last 20 years means it’s no surprise.

“It’s in decline. There should be a plethora of good goalkeeping coaches everywhere but there isn’t.

“As a young keeper you need a great coach to identify your strengths and weaknesses – I haven’t met many.

“That’s why it’s refreshing to hear that Simon Moore has got his environment right. It’s vitally important.

“With Richard Lee there and a good coach it sounds like Simon has a great set-up and that will be crucial to his future.”

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