England's most experienced goalkeeper Joe Hart was omitted from Gareth Southgate's 23-man World Cup squad.

The Manchester City stopper - who has been turfed out by Pep Guardiola - made a string of errors during his loan spell at West Ham this season.

Hart has 75 caps for England but Southgate went with the inexperienced trio of Jordan Pickford, Jack Butland and Nick Pope instead.

The three goalkeepers have just nine international caps between them.

"Not going to lie, I’m gutted," Hart posted on Instagram after the squad announcement.

"After 2 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."

Butland texted Hart

The Stoke City goalkeeper was very surprised by Southgate's decision to leave Hart out.

Butland has revealed the text he sent to the 31-year-old former England number one after the 23-man squad was announced.

“We all thought, ‘Wow’. It was a gutsy decision from the manager. I’ve spoken to Joe. I know he’s devastated to miss out," said Butland, as per The Guardian.

“I texted him once the squad had been announced and said ‘I’m absolutely gutted for you’.

"He’s been my hero since I was 14 years old and I still look up to him.

"It was important for me to tell him that because you don’t often get opportunities to tell people what you really think about them.”

What a wonderful gesture that is.

Southgate is yet to decide who will be his first-choice 'keeper in Russia.

Hart's career is now at something of a crossroads and his international career could well be over.

West Ham decided not to make his loan deal permanent and he has one year remaining on his deal at the Etihad but still isn't wanted by Guardiola.

Did Southgate make the right call to leave Hart behind? Let us know what you think by leaving a comment below.