With England's goalkeepers, four doesn't fit into three and Jack Butland knows someone will miss out on Russia

Only three of Butland, Pickford, Hart and Pope will go to Russia

Butland is expected to go to Russia but faces stiff competition (Getty)

In a week when Gareth Southgate debuted a new five-at-the-back formation, containing three right-backs, it is clear that his 2018 World Cup squad is far from settled and that is no truer than for the goalkeepers vying for one of the three places on the plan to Russia.

Southgate picked four goalkeepers for this month’s qualifiers with Netherlands and Italy as Burnley’s Nick Pope joined Jack Butland, Jordan Pickford and Joe Hart in the squad, with none of the quartet confirmed as his number one choice going forward.

Hart’s career trajectory has taken a downturn in the last two years as Pep Guardiola has farmed him out to Torino and West Ham United respectively, the latter where he has now lost his first-team place, and has consequently opened up the chance for others to take his place on the international scene.

“There's always times where things change, whether it's keepers or outfield players, there's time when someone may retire or there's injuries. There's always opportunities, that's the way things are,” Butland said following the 1-0 win over the Dutch on Friday.

“It's probably a four or five horse race still. There's a chance for people to show what they're all about in all positions and none more so than the goalkeepers. It's a positive situation to be in.”

Pickford was given the nod to impress in Amsterdam on Friday and duly took his chance which has seemingly propelled him to frontrunner in the race for the No 1 shirt in Russia.

“It's a good thing isn't it, having competition? I enjoy it,” Butland added. “You see the way we're all competing against each other. I thought Jordan played really well tonight, it's motivation for us all. It's a good environment to work and train in and we're all pushing each other.

“That's the life of a goalkeeper, whether it's coming up to a World Cup or not. It's how you react, how you are as a character, that's the biggest test. Come the World Cup, whatever happens, the experiences are there for everyone. The pride in what we do is always there, that doesn't change if it's whether it's a World Cup year or not.”

When Butland made his debut six years ago against Italy in Switzerland, becoming the youngest goalkeeper to do so for England in the process, it was expected he would have the No 1 shirt for his own by now.

However, a plethora of long-term injuries prevented that from happening and he now finds himself again trying to impress against the same opposition on Tuesday night, should he be selected.

"Yeah, of course, six years ago, youngest keeper to play for England and all of that, first cap, an incredible moment and I envisaged playing a lot more between then and now,” he added. “Injuries happen, that was a massive setback for me, I've dealt with bigger things than the odd performance, dealt with a hell of a long time out of the game from an injury which shouldn't have kept me out for that long.

“I've had to deal with fears of not playing again, I'm a bigger man for it and I will be better for it in the future. I would have liked to have played more but injuries are part and parcel of football and you've got to shoulder it, got to take it on and get on with it."