Joe Hart is my number one, says England boss Roy Hodgson

England manager Roy Hodgson has given Joe Hart his full backing.

The Manchester City goalkeeper was criticised for his performance during Wednesday's 3-1 Champions League defeat by Bayern Munich.

But Hodgson told a news conference: "As far as I'm concerned, Joe Hart is my number one. He has never let me down."

Hart, 26, has been joined in the England squad for this month's World Cup qualifiers against Montenegro and Poland by fit-again Wayne Rooney.

The Manchester United striker missed the Champions League draw with Shakhtar Donetsk on Wednesday after injuring his shin in training.

Liverpool forward Daniel Sturridge also returns from injury to take his place in the 23-man squad.

Hart, who has 35 international caps and kept clean sheets in England's last two World Cup qualifiers, was at fault for two of Bayern's three goals, failing to stop routine shots from Franck Ribery and Arjen Robben.

The Manchester City keeper was also slow to react for Andreas Weimann's winner for Aston Villa last weekend, was beaten at a corner by Cardiff striker Fraizer Campbell in August and allowed a shot from James Morrison to go straight through him during England's victory against Scotland at Wembley.

But Hodgson, who was at Wednesday's game at the Etihad Stadium, insists Hart is still ahead of Norwich City's John Ruddy and Celtic's Fraser Forster in his pecking order.

"I am not blind to the situation, I do realise it is not a good moment for Joe," he acknowledged.

"He is a proud man and a very good goalkeeper and I am sure when he is criticised he is unhappy.

"I still believe in Joe. I believe he is the right man for the job and I don't believe he will let England down."

With two games remaining, England lie top of their qualifying group, one point ahead of Ukraine and Montenegro and three ahead of Poland.

Victories in both games would guarantee a place at the World Cup finals in Brazil next summer for Hodgson's men.

"We don't have to debate how important these games are and I am very confident these players will be the ones that take us there [to the World Cup], as long as they come through this weekend's games," said Hodgson.

England play Montenegro at Wembley on 11 October before hosting Poland at the same venue four days later.

England squad:

Goalkeepers: Fraser Forster, Joe Hart, John Ruddy

Defenders: Leighton Baines, Gary Cahill, Ashley Cole, Phil Jagielka, Phil Jones, Chris Smalling, Kyle Walker

Midfielders: Ross Barkley, Michael Carrick, Tom Cleverley, Steven Gerrard, Frank Lampard, James Milner, Andros Townsend, Jack Wilshere

Forwards: Jermain Defoe, Rickie Lambert, Wayne Rooney, Daniel Sturridge, Daniel Welbeck