England goalkeeper Joe Hart focused on West Ham, not the World Cup

The 30-year-old is in danger of losing his England spot after being dropped by West Ham earlier this season, but he insists he is not thinking about this summer

Andy Sims
Monday 09 April 2018 10:56 BST
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Joe Hart is fully focused on West Ham's battle for survival
Joe Hart is fully focused on West Ham's battle for survival (Getty)

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Joe Hart admits West Ham face a season-defining game against Stoke next week.

The Hammers grabbed a battling point at Chelsea on Sunday to give themselves a healthy six-point cushion above the relegation zone.

But next Monday they host fellow strugglers Stoke knowing a defeat would drag them right back into trouble ahead of a tricky run-in including fixtures against Arsenal, Manchester United and Manchester City.

"We're moving in the right direction," said goalkeeper Hart.

Premier League weekend round-up

"Next Monday against Stoke is our game of the season now. But that's the future, in the present we have 34 points, six ahead of the relegation zone and that's great for us."

Hart put in a man-of-the-match display against the Blues, making fine saves from Willian, Marcos Alonso and Olivier Giroud to preserve a point.

The 30-year-old is in danger of losing his England spot after being dropped by West Ham earlier this season, but he insists he is not thinking about this summer's 2018 World Cup.

"I'm very focused on West Ham at the moment, that's my job and that's what I'm here to do, to fight for this team," he added.

"We are creating a really good spirit in the team, right the way through, from the injured boys, the boys on the bench, we stick together on and off the pitch and Chelsea was a good example of that."

Javier Hernandez climbed off the bench to secure a 1-1 draw for the visitors after Cesar Azpilicueta put Chelsea ahead.

Hart had a fine game at Stamford Bridge
Hart had a fine game at Stamford Bridge (Getty)

The reigning champions are 10 points behind fourth-placed Tottenham having won just three matches since the turn of the year and face Southampton next weekend in a dress rehearsal for the FA Cup semi-final later this month.

Blues defender Antonio Rudiger said: "The thing is we have to start playing good football and winning games, because if we don't win games we cannot get in the top four.

"We have to try and turn this around and finish the season on a high. There's no other way. We have to go to Southampton and do our thing."

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