Sunderland's Moyes: I turned down Joe Hart capture

David Moyes claims he turned down the opportunity to sign Manchester City castoff Joe Hart last summer because he wanted to place his trust in Sunderland youngster Jordan Pickford.

Hart, jettisoned from Pep Guardiola's City lineup due to not meeting the Spaniard's tactical requirements as a goalkeeper, eventually moved on loan to Torino; and while the Black Cats are rooted to the bottom of the Premier League, Pickford is deserving of praise for being the division's second-busiest shot-stopper to Burnley's Tom Heaton.

"When I arrived, Vito Mannone was probably the No. 1 on experience but his injury meant we needed to turn to Jordan and he has stood up to all we've asked of him," Moyes told the Sunderland Echo's Ross Gregory.

"I could have brought in Joe Hart, we thought he would have been ideal for us, but I had to think of Jordan's progression too and he hasn't let us down."

Through his efforts between the sticks this term, Pickford has earned international recognition and warmed the bench as Hart helped England to a 3-0 trumping Friday over neighbour Scotland.

At just 22, time is certainly on the Tyne and Wear native's side to secure full honours for his homeland in the near future. The next opportunity will come in Tuesday's friendly visit from Spain.

"Hopefully he will become England’s No. 1 for the future, I don't see why not," Moyes added. "He has the attributes and if he keeps his attitude of working hard, he won't go far wrong."

Mannone returned from an elbow ailment to competitive action Wednesday for the first time since August, when he completed 90 minutes of a Checkatrade Trophy tilt with Notts County, but Pickford will be expected to resume goalkeeping duties next Saturday when Hull City visits the Stadium of Light.