NICK Pope is ready to prove his own World Cup credentials after insisting 'every minute will count' in the battle to be England's number one.

The Clarets goalkeeper has the chance to stake a claim for a place in Gareth Southgate's 23-man squad for Russia as one of four glove men included in the group for friendlies with Holland and Italy.

Southgate has revealed that the competition for one of three goalkeeping spots - as well as being first choice - for the World Cup is 'very tight', but Pope is determined to prove himself.

The 25-year-old's elevation to the Three Lions caps a memorable rise, having never played a minute of Premier League football until coming off the bench for Burnley against Crystal Palace on September 10.

Joe Hart, Jack Butland and Jordan Pickford are also in Southgate's squad for games in Amsterdam on Friday and Wembley on Tuesday, but Pope is backing himself to make a mark.

“I don’t know what choice I’d be, but there’s work to do. There’s two friendlies now and a couple at the end of the season as well as Premier League matches to play, and I think every minute will count," he said of the battle for the gloves.

“I’m here now, so that’s a bonus. If I wasn’t in the squad I’d have been an outsider at best for the World Cup.

“I’ve got to prove myself at this level. I’ve enjoyed the training, I’ve come here to enjoy it and show what I’m about.

“In football you’ve got to be hungry, I’m happy to be here but I want to prove myself here as well. I want to play for England."

Southgate has previously backed Hart as his number one, but the most experienced member of the goalkeeping quartet has suffered a rocky season at West Ham. After being dropped by David Moyes he only regained his place recently, but made an error in the Hammers' 3-0 defeat to Burnley.

Butland and Pickford have also suffered uncertain seasons for Stoke and Everton respectively, leaving the door ajar for Pope.

“Things change quickly in football. Things are rarely set in stone over any period of time," he said.

"Tom Heaton is coming back from injury himself so I’m not taking anything or granted at club level let alone England level, that’s the way you have to be.

“There has got to be a number one, come the World Cup there is going to be one goalkeeper who has that spot.

“There’s eight games left of the Premier League season, it’s every man for himself.

“I want it to be, it’s a massive honour to represent your country and then go to the World Cup.

“You’ve got be hungry to push yourself and challenge yourself. International football for me would be a new challenge, but a challenge I want to take on."