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Reuters
Reuters
Sport

Shilton backs Pickford to be England's first-choice at World Cup

Soccer Football - FIFA World Cup - England Media Day - St. George's Park, Burton Upon Trent, Britain - June 5, 2018 England's Jordan Pickford during the media day Action Images via Reuters/Carl Recine

(Reuters) - England great Peter Shilton says Jordan Pickford should be the team's first-choice goalkeeper at the World Cup ahead of his rivals for the gloves in Russia Jack Butland and Nick Pope.

"I would go for Pickford," Shilton, who represented England in three World Cup campaigns from 1982 to 1990, told Sky Sports.

"I think Pickford is a little bit quicker around his feet, big Jack is great on the big stuff but just occasionally he gets done a little bit around his feet. That would be one slight criticism I would make in what is a terrific 'keeper.

Soccer Football - The Best FIFA Football Awards - Finalists Announcement - London, Britain - September 22, 2017 Peter Shilton during the Finalists Announcement at The Best FIFA Football Awards Action Images via Reuters/John Sibley

"I think we're going to know about the goalkeepers when they get to the World Cup and the pressure is on, you never know until the big stage."

Butland started for England as the team concluded their warm-up fixtures with a 2-0 win over Costa Rica on Thursday. They kick-off their World Cup campaign against Tunisia on June 18 before facing Panama and Belgium.

(Reporting by Aditi Prakash in Bengaluru; Editing by Peter Rutherford)

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