Hart receives Gerrard backing

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England captain Steven Gerrard has given his backing to keeper Joe Hart, who has been criticised for his recent Manchester City performances.Ahead of England's crucial World Cup qualifiers with Montenegro and Poland, Gerrard insists there is nobody he would rather play in front of than Hart.

"Being in form, being out of form - it happens but Joe has set such high standards and put in world-class performances that people expect that all the time which is impossible," Gerrard told Sky Sports News.

"At the moment he is going through a bit of a tough time, but he has got the character and ability to play his way through it, for me when I have Joe Hart behind me I feel safe, I feel good and for me I just want to echo what the manager said and back him and I have no doubt Joe Hart is a top keeper and I hope he is behind me for the next two games."

Gerrard also feels having both Daniel Sturridge and Wayne Rooney available is a huge boost, after the pair sat out the last two qualifiers.

"Speaking to Daniel there was no one more frustrated than himself not being available for England, he was really frustrated he had the niggle in his quad but that has cleared up," he said.

"Having worked with him on a daily basis with my club, I know how good he is and I can understand why everyone is frustrated that he hasn't had a run of games in an England shirt, but for me he is a top player and even better than I thought.