James had little chance to shine when England gained a comfortable 3-0 success over the Caribbean side in Sunday's friendly international in Port of Spain.

But Ince believes the Portsmouth number one has developed into the most consistent keeper in England and deserves the chance to be between the posts in South Africa - if England qualify.

James will be nearly 40 by the summer of 2010 and his age is sure to be a factor if Fabio Capello's side achieve their goal and put the misery behind them of failing to reach the Euro 2008 finals.

Ince, who plays for League One side Walsall, said: "I look at the consistency of goalkeepers during a year - and I like what David James has done this season because he has been very consistent.

"He's very motivated and he has shown the ability to be the number one for such a long period.

"In the early days of Liverpool and Aston Villa, he made sloppy mistakes.

"All keepers have those instances and, as he's grown older and more mature, he's taken more responsibility.

"He's doing the job he's supposed to do, which is keeping the ball out of the net - and he is doing it fantastically."

Ince, 35, added: "David is the most consistent England keeper and he deserves the chance to make the number one spot his own - even in the next championships (in 2010).

"He is fit, is playing regular football, he's competing at the highest level and he's helped Portsmouth to the highest position they've been in for a long time."