Gillingham manager Andy Hessenthaler has backed former team-mate David James to be England's first choice goalkeeper at the World Cup.England boss Fabio Capello has given no indication whether James, Robert Green or Joe Hart will keep goal against the United States on Saturday.
But Hessenthaler, who played alongside James in his Watford days, told BBC Radio Kent: "It should be David James.
"Not just as he's a friend but because he's the right man for the job."
Hessenthaler added: "All goalkeepers make mistakes - David's had a fantastic career and I just feel he's the right man for us for the World Cup.
"I know him quite personally because I played with him at Watford when he was a lot younger. But for me I'd play David, definitely."
Hessenthaler and James played alongside each other at Vicarage Road during the 1991-92 season, before James signed for Liverpool in July 1992.
The Gills boss, who left for Watford for Priestfield four year later, has fond memories of that period of his career - during which he first discovered James' flair for art.
"We went away on a Friday and after the meal in the evening there was a flip chart there and within about 20 minutes he had sketched everybody," said Hessenthaler.
"He is a very, very good artist. I wish I had kept it because it would have been nice to still have it."
Source: BBC Sport
Source: BBC Sport