Slovakia vs England: Joe Hart set to start after Fraser Forster arm injury

Hart has not trained with Sam Allardyce's squad this week after being given permission to complete his move to Torino

Mark Ogden

Chief Football Correspondent

Wednesday 31 August 2016 22:28 BST

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Forster in training with England on Tuesday (Getty)

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Joe Hart is set to start England's World Cup qualifier against Slovakia after Fraser Forster pulled out of Sam Allardyce's squad with an arm injury.

Hart, who has not trained with England this week after being given permission to fly to Italy to complete a loan move from Manchester City to Torino, had been facing the axe after losing his first-team place at the Etihad Stadium.

But Forster's withdrawal has now given Hart a reprieve, with Allardyce yet to call up a replacement for Southampton keeper Forster.

Tom Heaton, the Burnley goalkeeper, is already in the England squad for Sunday's clash in Trnava.

But having won just one cap -- a brief substitute appearance against Australia last season -- Heaton is unlikely to dislodge Hart for the opening game of Allardyce's reign.

Jack Butland's failure to overcome a long-term ankle injury at Stoke City has denied him the chance to claim the goalkeepers position for the Slovakia game.

But despite the distraction of Hart spending almost two days in Turin this week, Allardyce is to set start with the 29-year-old, who endured an error strewn campaign at Euro 2016.

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