Alex McLeish believes Birmingham's on-loan goalkeeper Joe Hart must be "a major contender" to be England's number one at this summer's World Cup.

The Blues manager claims Hart is on the way to becoming "a great goalkeeper" if he maintains his current levels of form.

Hart made the season-long switch from Manchester City to St Andrew's to play regular first-team football and to press his international claims.

The former Shrewsbury player has made a major contribution to City's current top-10 position in the Barclays Premier League.

He also defied Nottingham Forest with several fine saves in Birmingham's 1-0 home success in an FA Cup third-round replay last night, which clinched a visit to Everton.

McLeish told Press Association Sport: "The Italian coaches (with England) will be looking for all the ingredients from a goalkeeper - kicking, handling, shot-stopping, distribution.

"With Joe, from what I can see, all the ingredients are there.

"Is he good enough for the England number one spot? I think he is up there. He's got to be a major contender.

"It seems a bit open (the number one spot) and I think there is an opportunity for someone.

"Fabio Capello is a top coach and doesn't need any advice from me but I am sure the England camp will be scrutinising all the goalkeepers very closely."

McLeish added: "Joe was on top form again against Forest and he has made some great saves and kept us in the game at a time when Forest can count themselves unlucky.

"He has also played his part in the league and saved us some valuable points.

"They say great goalkeepers can save you 10 points during the course of a season and Joe is well on his way to that.

"In my opinion, he is on his way to becoming a great goalkeeper if he keeps playing to these current standards."

Birmingham are unbeaten in 14 games across all competitions but McLeish claims his side will be underdogs when they visit David Moyes' Everton side in the next round.

He said: "I am sure that David Moyes will be looking for a much better second half of the season from his team.

"They've definitely got the players in there who can do a lot better and that's normally what happens with teams like Everton in the second half of the season.

"We will go up there and we are under no illusions that Everton will be favourites - but we've surprised a lot of teams this season."

Forest manager Billy Davies was left to bemoan his side's lack of finishing power in both ties with Birmingham, as their 18-game unbeaten run came to an end.

But McLeish believes Forest are good enough to clinch promotion to the Premier League after more than a decade outside of the top flight.

He said: "Are Forest good enough to get in Premier League? I think so because they are well organised, are tough to beat, are mobile, are a handful.

"They can count themselves unlucky to have gone out of the FA Cup against us.

"Forest are a good side and Billy (Davies) has done a good job and I expect them to be up there."