Jordan Pickford has called for focus ahead of Sunderland's trip to Stoke City on Saturday.
Fresh from his inaugural senior England call-up, the 22-year-old is back on Wearside with high hopes of catching the eye of Gareth Southgate further.
But as the Washington-born youngster puts that to the back of his mind for the time being, Pickford is set to return to domestic action this Saturday as David Moyes’ side look to build on the point gained at home to West Bromwich Albion last time out.
And as preparations come to a head, the stopper has challenged his team-mates to focus on winning their individual battles across the field as he believes that will provide the perfect foundations to earn all three points.
“We have a good squad and we showed that as we dug in against West Brom to get the point,” he said.
“Looking back maybe should’ve got the three but it wasn’t to be.
“We have got enough in the team to give Stoke a hard game and we know the fans will be right behind us as always.
“I’m trying my best to keep the clean sheet but the teams we’ve played against have score some good goals.
“If I do my job and everyone else does theirs across the pitch we will cause teams problems because at the other end of the field Jermain Defoe will score.
“It’s what he does because he just needs that one chance and 99 times out of 100 he will score.”