Derby goalkeeper Scott Carson claims his form justifies England recall... but believes only Premier League stars will catch Gareth Southgate's eye

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Derby County's former England goalkeeper Scott Carson believes his form justifies an international recall but says it's virtually impossible for players outside the Premier League to catch the eye of Gareth Southgate.

Carson, 32, has been in outstanding form this season at a time when Joe Hart and Jack Butland have had their struggles, and was man of the match in Derby's 2-0 FA Cup defeat at Manchester United on Friday.

'I've definitely been playing the best football of my career. If I was playing in games like United every week, I'd be disappointed not to get a chance (for England),' said Carson, whose only defeat from his four caps between 2007 and 2011 was an infamous one against Croatia at Wembley.

Scott Carson believes playing in the Championship could stop him representing England again

'I'm a lot better goalkeeper now than six or seven years ago.'

Steve Bull of Wolves was the last player from the second tier to go to a World Cup with England in 1990.

'If you're not playing in the Premier League, then your chances are very minimal,' conceded Carson, who has top-flight experience with Leeds, Liverpool, Charlton, Aston Villa and West Brom.

'When I played in the Premier League, all you had to do was play there to be recognised for England. Whether that's right or wrong, that's not my call. I am not in control of that. All I can control is my performances.

The 32-year-old was the man of the match as Derby lost to Manchester United in the FA Cup

'I'm not sure the gap between the Premier League and Championship is as big all the way through as people make out. Obviously you saw the difference in class between ourselves and Manchester United but they are all £30million-plus players. 

'The lower you go down the Premier League, the more similar it is to the Championship. Not too many promoted teams come straight back down.'

Carson pulled off a number of stunning saves at Old Trafford including a flying leap to deny Paul Pogba that was reminiscent of David de Gea.

'It's down to experience. I've never enjoyed going to United before, I was always a bit nervous. But I came this time and knew what it was all about.

'You don't have to do things to try and impress people. That's what you do when you are younger and you cause yourself lots of problems. I've learned I just have to protect that goal and do the job as simple as it sounds.'

Carson believes he is in the best form of his career, better than when he was an England star

Joe Hart leads a list of England goalkeepers currently struggling with form or injury issues

Carson has already kept a dozen clean sheets this season with Derby currently in an automatic promotion spot.

'I think we have shown we are resilient and organised without the ball. And we have the attacking players who can counter fast. But we know it's going to be a long run-in to the end of the season and teams will be snapping at our heels.'

Having been spoilt for goalkeeping riches a few months ago, Southgate has problems with his 'keepers. Hart can't get a Premier League game for West Ham while Butland has conceded more goals at Stoke than anyone else in the top division. 

Burnley's Tom Heaton is injured and Southampton's Fraser Forster out of form. Even Jordan Pickford who has played well for Everton made a match-losing blunder in Friday's FA Cup tie against Liverpool.