Joe Hart has character to silence critics - Gary Cahill

England goalkeeper Joe Hart has the resolve to overcome concerns about his form, says defender Gary Cahill.

Hart, 26, has faced criticism after errors for England against Scotland and for Manchester City at Cardiff.

"There is always going to be a stage in your career when you make a mistake or two," Cahill said ahead of Friday's World Cup qualifier against Moldova.

"We'll see in the character, the way he can bounce back - that's the most important thing - but he's top drawer."

Hart, who has won 33 caps after making his international debut in 2008, has been warned by City boss Manuel Pellegrini that his place is not guaranteed, with 6ft 8in Romanian Costel Pantilimon waiting for a first-team chance.

"For the moment Joe will continue being our goalkeeper, but I spoke with him and he knows he must be quickly in his top form again," Pellegrini said.

However, Chelsea's Cahill, 27, said of his England team-mate: "He's a strong character. You're never going to play the perfect game, never concede a goal or never make a mistake. It's how you respond, learn from that and move on - and I don't think that will be a problem."

Only the nine European group winners are guaranteed a place at next year's World Cup finals in Brazil and England face an important week as they chase leaders Montenegro, who hold a two-point advantage having played a game more.

Roy Hodgson's side play Moldova at Wembley - a team they beat 5-0 away in September last year - before a testing trip to Ukraine on Tuesday.

"People might be coming on Friday hoping we win 4-0, 5-0 or 6-0 - it might not be the case, we might win 1-0," Cahill said.

"Would that be a bad result? No, of course not - it would be a positive result leading into the second game. So we'll show them a lot of respect."