England goalkeeper Joe Hart says he would be more than happy to step up and take a penalty for his side but hopes Sunday's Euro 2012 quarter-final against Italy does not come down to spot-kicks.

Neither the Three Lions nor Italy have an impressive record in taking penalties at major tournaments but the prospect of spot-kicks is a possibility this weekend, with players and pundits predicting a tight affair at the Olympic Stadium in Kiev.

Hart says he has been practising taking penalties along with the rest of the squad and would have no problem putting himself forward if needed.

Lottery

"I'd put my name forward 100 per cent. But hopefully it won't come to that," the Manchester City keeper told a press conference on Thursday.

"Penalties are a lottery but I think we've got some takers and I'd back myself in a tournament."

Hart also revealed he has practised taking penalties as much as the rest of the England squad.

When asked about how much he practised, he said: "As much as anyone else, I do like to take my penalties."

The keeper says he would relish the chance to help his team between the sticks if Sunday's encounter did come down to spot-kicks.

"They're the kind of situations where you get your chance to do your thing for the team," he said.

"Like I say, hopefully it won't come to that, but if it does require penalties to go through, then so be it, that's the route we're going to take."

He jokingly added of England's penalty-taking in training: "I'm going to say I've not saved one, because everyone is brilliant at penalties in our team."

Hart is likely to come up against Manchester City team-mate Mario Balotelli on Sunday and the keeper acknowledges the temperamental Italian as a potential danger if on-form.

"He could be a great threat. He's a great player," said Hart. "It'll be interesting to see what he brings to the table.

"He is what he is. There's no acting with him. When he's on form, football wise, he's a great player.

"But as well as me knowing him, obviously more importantly Joleon (Lescott) knows him, who he'll probably come up against if he plays."

Hart is aware expectations on England have been lower this summer but insists the players would not view exiting the tournament at the quarter-final stage as a success.

Winners

He added: "We're not those guys. We're winners.

"The whole point in coming here is not to keep people happy and keep people off our backs. We've not come here so we can go home and not get bothered. We've come here to win games and be successful for us and for the country and make people proud of the English football team.

"If it wasn't to go right, I don't like talking about that, but we'd like to leave (having) given everything.

"We don't fear anyone. We've not come here to fear anyone or be inferior. We know we're a good team and we're here to do well."