Gunn says Burnley move can be good for Hart

Southampton’s Angus Gunn believes Joe Hart is ready to revive his career at Burnley – beginning with the match which could represent both goalkeepers’ Premier League debuts at their new clubs.

Gunn is in contention to start when Southampton host Burnley, having left Manchester City for £13.5million to end the seven-year stay that coincided with Hart’s prime.

The 22-year-old spent several seasons admiring Hart, until last season England’s long-term first-choice and who this week also left the Premier League champions, for a fee of £3.5million.

In the same way the promising Gunn will vie for selection with Alex McCarthy and Fraser Forster, Hart is also competing with two England internationals in Tom Heaton and Nick Pope.

His former team-mate and training partner has had a difficult two years in which he struggled for England at Euro 2016 before Pep Guardiola dropped him at City.

That led to Hart struggling on loan at West Ham – but Gunn said: “Burnley is a good move for him.

“The British environment will suit him. He will definitely perform well and we might see him in goal here on Sunday.

“When I was a young kid at City I was training with him and that was a big dream of mine when I was younger, watching him play for England.

“Bumping into him with England over the last few years he is a great guy to know and to talk to. I wish him all the best.

“Last season he went out of the (West Ham) team but when he came back in he did really well.

“It’s a tough one. Looking at the last few seasons he has been in Serie A (with Torino) and did OK there. There is a perception that he is going downhill but every goalie has dips in form and it’s how he manages to deal with it.”

Gunn could be joined by deadline-day signing Danny Ings in making his Southampton debut on Sunday.

Manager Mark Hughes has a fully-fit squad from which to choose, following Cedric Soares’ recovery from illness.