Making the cut for England's 23-man squad at this summer's World Cup was always going to be unlikely for goalkeeper Joe Hart.A tough season at West Ham saw the 31-year-old drop below Jordan Pickford and Jack Butland in the pecking order under Gareth Southgate.And when it came to Southgate making a final decision, he opted for Burnley's Nick Pope instead of Hart as third-choice goalkeeper.As you can imagine, Hart was very disappointed to not be selected for Russia as he reacted on Instagram."Not going to lie, I'm gutted," he wrote. "After two years of trying to make the most of a really tough situation, this is hard to take."I'm proud to have put in the graft and play every minute to qualify with the team and have a really important input in that outcome. I know what I bring to the team, but it is what it is."Good luck to the team out there, the players know that even though I won't be there, I will have my England shirt on as a fan this time and supporting all the way. No fear, go and smash it."

HEARTBREAK FOR HART

Class. Southgate's decision to leave Hart out of his squad was welcomed by most football fans, with only a few claiming he should have been included for his experience.

Alan Shearer certainly isn't one of those few, though, and speaking to Coral he spoke the absolute truth about Hart and why he didn't deserve to board the plane to Russia.

"I think it's a very sensible decision, a very good squad," explained Shearer in the video above. "I think that's what he (Southgate) had to do.

"There are no stupid decisions. In previous times, managers have picked players who haven't been fit and gambled on players - that's backfired.

"None of that from Gareth and the decision to leave out Joe Hart I believe is the correct one. I think the 23 players he's picked are the best 23 players that England have.

"You could make an argument for Jonjo Shelvey in there, but in the main it is and should be the best 23 players. If he had put Hart in there I don't think that would have been the correct decision.

"One, he hasn't played and two, when he has played, he hasn't played well. I think that's the correct decision."

Well, can't argue with that. Southgate has opened the door on a future return for Hart, but that all depends on whether the 31-year-old can rediscover his previous form.