Fraser Forster's bid to put pressure on Joe Hart is on hold after he was forced to withdraw from England duty with an injury.

Forster, the Southampton goalkeeper, is returning to his club for treatment after suffering an injury in training to put Hart in pole position to start the World Cup qualifier against Slovakia on Sunday.

Sam Allardyce was giving serious consideration to starting Forster in his first game after believing he deserved an opportunity to replace Hart, whose loan move from Manchester City to Torino was confirmed on deadline day.

But Forster has suffered a disappointing blow to his international prospects after picking up an arm injury, with Southampton sources revealing he will now be leaving the England training base at St. George's Park.

Forster, 28, has impressed for Southampton over the last 12 months and was hoping to add to his six international caps, which have all come in non-competitive games.