Stoke City legend Gordon Banks is convinced Ryan Shawcross is a long-term option for England.

Banks is one of only 22 players to have been picked for England while at Stoke City.

He's hoping Stoke captain Shawcross, below, will become number 23 tomorrow.

He told The Sentinel: "Ryan has done really well. I don't know what the manager has in mind, but he might play him because San Marino are a side that England ought to beat.

"That doesn't mean he will take a lot of chances, but he could give Ryan the experience while using more experienced England players around him.

"But if he doesn't play, I don't think it matters too much because I think he has a good chance of staying in the squad.

"Ryan's performing very well for Stoke and I can't see many others playing better."