Under any other circumstances, Scott Carson would be preparing to play for England this coming weekend. With one full Premiership season behind his back and another one going fine, he is proving that he has the consistence needed to play at the highest level.

What’s keeping him out at the moment isn’t his form but others’ psychological well being. McLaren knows that dropping Paul Robinson would break his morale and put him in big danger of accelerating his spiral downwards. That situation is unlikely to change, at least, until the qualification games for the European Championship are out of the way.

Afterwards McLaren – or whoever is in charge – would have the freedom change and prepare for the future. It is unlikely that anyone would stick with Robinson given his recent form whilst David James is enjoying a fine season yet is too old to build any side around him for such a long term target.

That leaves two alternatives: Carson and Robert Green. The latter is at a disadvantage because he missed most of the last season and he hasn’t caught up this year. West Ham are doing pretty well this season and that is partly due to Green’s form. Yet his poor performances at Norwich when they were in the Premiership, however, remain what he is remembered for most.

It will take him time to remove that notion.

This leaves Carson who, given his form both last season and this year, already seems to be the best candidate for the job. Clean sheets have been the order of the day this season for Aston Villa and even in other games, Carson has rarely been to blame.

Admittedly, there is one area where any cautiousness around his elevation to first team is justified: his club.

Carson’s deal at Aston Villa lasts till the end of the season but afterwards it is up to Benitez to decide about the player.

With his games being given increased prominence, his potential is coming more to the fore, few Liverpool fans would willingly sell Carson. .

Fewer still, however, would venture if he could potentially break into the side. Pepe Reina was unknown when he came three seasons ago yet has broken a series of records during his stay and there aren’t many who would do better.

Carson had to move out of Reina’s shadow – even though he was never up against him in the first place – if he really is to progress to the national side or fulfil his potential. The deal apparently already agreed between the two clubs should see that this happens sooner rather than later.