Joe Hart keen to give Shrews big pay-off

Ex-Shrewsbury Town goalkeeper Joe Hart today revealed he would be thrilled to bring his old club a bumper financial windfall by making his competitive England debut tomorrow.

Hart is the strong favourite to get the nod between the posts for the Euro 2012 qualifier against Bulgaria at Wembley.

And should those predictions prove accurate, Town would net £500,000 from Premier League giants Manchester City.

Hart has already won four England caps in friendly matches and now looks certain to start with West Brom's Scott Carson released from the squad after a family bereavement

But an appearance in a competitive game for the former Meole Brace School pupil would trigger a clause in the £1.5m deal which saw him move to Eastlands four years ago.

And Hart admitted he would is excited at the prospect of giving the club where he learned his trade a major financial boost.

"I think I am right in thinking Shrewsbury get half a million if I play tomorrow," said the 23-year-old.

"That will be huge for the club. It is huge money for a team like that and I am pleased for them, although there is only one player left from my time there (Steve Leslie). Everyone else has gone."

Not that Hart is taking a starting place for granted as England look to bounce back from their disappointing World Cup.

"I don't think anyone knows they are playing," he said. "There are only a couple of people who can quite comfortably say that in our squad.

"I'm definitely not one of them. I'm just going to train hard and do my best."

Hart knows England owe the supporters a win and an encouraging performance after the dismal showing in South Africa.

He said: "We owe the fans. It is a huge opportunity on and there is so much more emotion around night games.

"Bulgaria will be tough opposition."

By JAMES GARRISON