text: Sam Allardyce believes Queens Park Rangers goalkeeper Rob Green is good enough to challenge England No 1 Joe Hart for a place in the national team. Green, capped 12 times, endured a famously turbulent time as England goalkeeper, with his calamitous error in England’s 1-1 draw with USA at the 2010 World Cup a particular lowlight. But after a fine 2011-12 season with Allardyce’s West Ham in the Championship, he gained his first international cap since World Cup humiliation. And Allardyce, whose side face Green and Co at Loftus road on Saturday, still holds his former stopper in high esteem and thinks the 35-year-old could once again stake a claim to be England’s main man between the posts. Rob Green trains ahead of QPR's Premier League match against his former club West Ham on Saturday . Green has won 12 England caps but made a calamitous error in the World Cup against USA in 2010 . The QPR goalkeeper allowed a speculative effort to go through his hands and was unable to retrieve it . The ball trickled over the line as Clint Dempsey's strike earned USA a 1-1 in the opening group match . ‘He could rival Joe Hart,’ Allardyce began. ‘Robert has had an unfortunate England career by the fact that, when called upon, he made a mistake that has probably haunted him for a while. ‘If he has overcome that, the experience he has gained since should make him a better goalkeeper. And after a difficult time at QPR, he has shone through because of his dedication.’ Green swapped east for west London after West Ham sealed promotion back to the Premier League with a 2-1 play-off final victory over Blackpool. And Allardyce, who was forced to let Green leave on a free transfer due to financial constraints, thinks the keeper will be crucial to QPR’s bid to avoid the drop. ‘Financially we couldn't get there – that was the key element,’ Allardyce said of West Ham’s attempts to keep Green at the club. West Ham manager Sam Allardyce says Green can rival Joe Hart for England No 1 spot . Green faces his old club at Loftus Road on Saturday as QPR bid to beat the drop . ‘It wasn't that Robert didn't want to stay – he did. But we couldn't match, at that time, his financial demands and QPR did. ‘Robert is a dedicated goalkeeper who works tirelessly on his game, and has a huge amount of experience now which, hopefully – not on Saturday – will help QPR stay up.’
target: West Ham take on QPR at Loftus Road in the Premier League on Saturday .
  Rob Green played for Sam Allardyce at West Ham during 2011-12 season .
  Green has 12 England caps but made calamitous error at 2010 World Cup .
  The West Ham manager believes the mistake has haunted Green ever since .
  But thinks he is capable of challenging Joe Hart for the England No 1 spot .