Leicester City legend and World Cup winner Gordon Banks says England keeper Joe Hart has the potential to be "as good as any other goalkeeper" in the tournament.
Banks lifted the Jules Rimet trophy with England in 1966, while still a City player, and he backed Hart to also be a success in Brazil, although admitted he was still not the finished article.
The Manchester City stopper was England's third-choice goalkeeper four years ago in South Africa but is now firmly Roy Hodgson's No. 1 going into the opening game against Italy on Saturday.
Italy fans will look forward to seeing his match-up with their star man Andrea Pirlo, who got the better of Hart in the quarter-final penalty shoot-out at Euro 2012, later labelling Hart as "too sure of himself".
"Joe is a good keeper but there are little things in his game that you are wary about. Sometimes he doesn't quite judge things like crosses properly," said Banks.
"At this level, you can't make mistakes because the good teams will take advantage of that without question.
"But if Joe performs like I know he can, and he doesn't make those mistakes, he can be as good as any other keeper at the tournament in my opinion."
However, Banks said he is very optimistic England will take something from their Group D opener with their European opponents.
'We've got a chance but it will be a tight game that I feel we can get something out of, even if that's a point," he said.
"It's important to do that to go into the next group game against Uruguay with a bit of confidence. A win or even just a point in your opening game can do wonders."
World Cups can make reputations and they can break them, especially for goalkeepers. Just ask former England goalkeeper Rob Green.
Green will always be remembered for his howler against the USA at the last World Cup in South Africa.
And another former England keeper, David Seaman, was infamously caught napping by Ronaldinho's long-range free-kick in the quarter-finals 12 years ago.
Hart spent time on the sidelines early last season after being dropped by Manchester City boss Manuel Pellegrini following a run of poor form.
"I've learned the important thing is to always be positive," said Hart.
"No-one goes out there to make a mistake but incidents happen all the time, the important thing is moving on and not letting it affect you.
"People talk about that incident at the last World Cup but Rob pulled off a fantastic save shortly afterwards that kept us in the game and we qualified from the group too."
