JORDAN PICKFORD thinks this summer will help him mature on the professional stage for his country, even if the Sunderland goalkeeper fears it is mission impossible to dethrone Joe Hart as England’s No 1.

The Black Cats are braced for the eventuality that they could lose their prize homegrown asset in the near future and the chances of that happening would increase dramatically if relegation falls on the club.

The Northern Echo:

Playing in the Championship next season will become an even greater possibility if Sunderland can’t win one of the upcoming away games at Watford on Saturday or Leicester City on Tuesday, and there is already a seven-point deficit to make up to safety.

Pickford’s performances will be crucial in Sunderland’s fight to stay in the top-flight, although his ability has already caught the eye of some of the country’s biggest clubs chasing Champions League football next season.

The 23-year-old faced Germany for England's Under-21s last week and was on the bench against Denmark in midweek, having previously been promoted to the senior squad by Gareth Southgate as back up to Hart last November.

The aim for Pickford is to recapture the sort of form he showed at club level before suffering a knee injury on Boxing Day for the remaining matches in the fight for Premier League survival, before heading away with the Under-21s to the European Championships in the summer.

After that it remains to be seen where he will play his club football, although his long-term ambition is to become a permanent fixture in Southgate’s squad – even if the presence of Hart will make it difficult to earn international caps.

Pickford said: “I was called up (to the senior squad) in November and it was a great experience for me and a big learning curve, it’s all about maturing as a keeper.

“But I’ve hopefully got the Under-21s European Championships in the summer and I want to go there, be a part of it, try to win it and take it from there.

“Obviously I’ve got top keepers in front of me. I’ve always looked up to Harty as a young lad, and the way he’s gone about his football. When I was with him in the England squad I saw at first-hand what a top keeper he is so I’ll do well to get past him.”

Pickford’s rise to prominence this season has caught the eye of the big boys, which is why Sunderland are also having to consider options to replace him if they end up cashing in. Manchester United’s Sam Johnstone, on loan at Aston Villa, has been linked.

But the Black Cats’ academy graduate isn’t thinking about his next destination, purely keeping Sunderland in the Premier League and he is confident that it can done.

He told EA Sports.com: “We’ve got a good mentality in the squad and we’ve stuck together. We’ve done it in previous years so we’ll do it again.

“It’s good (playing under David Moyes). Obviously we’re getting new experiences every time a new gaffer comes in and it’s great to be able to learn something new off of a different manager (since Moyes came in).”

Pickford was brought up on Wearside so knows exactly what playing for the club means and he is still getting the buzz from appearing at the Stadium of Light, where he has a special rapport with the supporters.

He said: “It’s massive for me. Obviously being a young lad, I’ve always been a fan going to games week in, week out, watching the side play. Now getting to be out on the pitch is an experience I’ve always wanted, so it’s amazing for me.”

Sunderland’s Under-23s face Norwich City at Carrow Road on Friday night in the semi-final of the Premier League International Cup. Porto await the winners.

  • Jordan Pickford was speaking about FIFA 17, Sunderland and the season so far to EASPORTS.com.