Clemence's Hart from Blues keeper

England legend Ray Clemence today vowed the "incredible" experience of going to a World Cup would complete Birmingham goalkeeper Joe Hart's education.

The Blues No. 1, who is coming to the end of a one-year loan from Manchester City, is in contention with David James, Rob Green and Paul Robinson for the three goalkeeping slots for South Africa.

Clemence, part of Fabio Capello's England backroom staff, has been mightily impressed by Hart's form this season and believes the ex-Shrewsbury man has just as good a chance as any of his more experienced counterparts of making the plane.

And he says the experience of a World Cup would be a huge learning curve for Hart, who is still a relative rookie at 22.

"It's an incredible experience," said Clemence. "This will be my fifth World Cup now either as a player or a coach and each one seems to get bigger.

"The experience can put you in good stead for the future. I know the potential Joe has got and I think he has done fantastic to achieve what he has achieved.

"It doesn't surprise me because he has loads of ability and the only thing he lacks is experience. Playing games and being involved in tournaments, that would give him that. He's certainly in contention.

"He has had a great season. He has been lucky Manchester City were good enough to loan him out in the first place and Birmingham were brave enough to take him.

"He has had the advantage of knowing he will play every week and that has been a great confidence boost to him. As the season he has gone on he has got better.

"Goalkeeping is all about experience and the more he plays hopefully the better he gets. Part of a goalkeeper's makeup is that you have to be very patient because it's about experience. Joe is lucky he has been given this experience in his early 20's."