Walker: England in safe hands

Former England international Ian Walker is certain that England have an extremely bright future in the goalkeeping department.

Walker, who was a regular in the England squad for many years, also had encouraging words for Norwich City custodian Rob Green, who is now plying his trade outside of the top flight.

Along with Andrew Johnson at Crystal Palace, Green was expected to be cast aside by England coach Sven Goran Eriksson in favour of a goalkeeper currently playing in The Premiership.

However, Green has been included in the latest squad to face Denmark this week and Walker believes that the 25-year-old is one of a number of young goalkeepers who can prosper for The Three Lions.

"When I got relegated with Leicester, all I wanted to do was keep playing well," Walker told Sky Sports News.

"As long as you keep your standard up and try and do the best you can every week, if the team is up there challenging at the top of the table in The Championship and playing well, then that's all you can do.

"I think there will always be good English 'keepers coming through, I know we've taken a bit of stick over the years but I think there's enough talent there for us to be happy enough for a long time."

Walker signed for Bolton Wanderers on a free transfer over the summer, and the former Tottenham Hotspur man is just happy to be back in The Premiership.

His next aim is to oust Trotters number one Jussi Jaaskelainen, a man Walker rates very highly.

"I've got a lot of respect for Jussi and what he's done at Bolton - he's been terrific for them," added Walker.

"All I can do is work hard and see what happens.

"You never know what can happen in football and I'm just glad to have an opportunity to be back in The Premier League."