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David Moyes claims he rejected the opportunity to sign Joe Hart.

The England number one was frozen out of at Manchester City following Pep Guardiola’s arrival in the summer and sent on loan to Serie A side Torino.

Moyes claims he turned down the chance to bring the 29-year-old to the North East before he headed for Italy.

“When I arrived, Vito Mannone was probably the No1 on experience but his injury meant we needed to turn to Jordan (Pickford) and he has stood up to all we’ve asked of him,” Moyes told the Shields Gazette.

“I could have brought in Joe Hart, we thought he would have been ideal for us, but I had to think of Jordan’s progression too and he hasn’t let us down.”

Jordan Pickford, who will watch on from the bench as Hart keeps goal against Scotland, has been one of few positives for bottom-placed Sunderland this season.

Moyes added: “Hopefully he will become England’s No1 for the future, I don’t see why not. He has the attributes and if he keeps his attitude of working hard, he won’t go far wrong.”