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Allardyce insists Hart will be in England squad despite uncertainty at City

Andrew Couldridge / Reuters

There's at least one manager willing to give Joe Hart a chance to retain his role as a first-choice goalkeeper.

Despite failing to appear in either of Manchester City's opening league matches, England manager Sam Allardyce confirmed Monday he will select the out-of-favour 'keeper ahead of next month's international friendlies.

The newly appointed manager, however, was unwilling to reveal whether Hart will start for the Three Lions as he waits to speak with the 29-year-old to form his own assessment of the player's mindset amid an uneasy situation at City under new manager Pep Guardiola.

Related - Report: Everton bids for Hart as Bravo nears City arrival

"I think so. He'd be in the squad definitely but I won't know what we're going to do until I speak to Joe and that will be the same for most of the players," Allardyce told Jefferson Lake from Sky Sports.

"I want to know what frame of mind they're in and make the right selection for Slovakia away."

Allardyce, however, isn't entirely comfortable with looking past the fact that Hart isn't getting first-team playing time, admitting any manager would have doubts about selecting a player in the goalkeeper's current dilemma.

"I think the problem for any player that you want to select for England, not just in isolation, is that it's a concern if that player isn't playing for his team," he said.

"You have to have your doubts about that but I don't really know where he lies in that process at the moment.

With Claudio Bravo reportedly on his way to join City from Barcelona, Hart may be able to find regular playing time elsewhere before the summer transfer window closes.

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