Joe Hart is back on course to make the World Cup finals with England, Bookmakers believe.

The 30-year-old, currently on-loan at West Ham United from Manchester City, has come under increasing scrutiny about his future as England number one.

Everton’s Jordan Pickford is considered favourite to start the opening game, and Hart had drifted massively as he struggled to get regular first-team football with The Hammers.

But Hart made a return to West Ham colours at Chelsea on Sunday and performed brilliantly, helping David Moyes’s side claim a 1-1 draw.

And Moyes has backed Hart to make it with England, saying: “Joe showed why he has so many caps and so many medals, so that will be good for him.

“When you do play the big teams you need your goalkeeper to play well and our goalkeeper played very well.”

Hart has now been cut to 2/1 to start England’s opening game at the World Cup against Tunisia, with Pickford remaining favourite in the market at 4-5, while Jack Butland is 13-8.

“After an outstanding display against Chelsea in the Premier League, the odds now suggest Joe Hart is back in contention to start in goal for England at the World Cup in a position which is probably causing Gareth Southgate the biggest headache going into this summer,” said Coral’s John Hill.