Mark Hughes has described Alex McCarthy as a “top line keeper” and thinks he has an outside chance of making England’s World Cup squad.

McCarthy has been in fine form since breaking into the Saints team at the end of December and was hailed as a hero for pulling off a late save as the team held on to beat Bournemouth at St Mary’s last weekend.

The 28-year-old has won a couple of England call-ups in the past but has yet to win a first cap.

With much still to play for when it comes to keepers for Gareth Southgate’s squad, McCarthy could have a chance.

Saints boss Hughes, whose main focus is on this evening’s crucial match at Everton, said: “I think he was pleased and rightly so that he’s been able to make a match defining save.

“Almost without fail all the goals the team have conceded there wasn’t a great deal he could do about those situations.

“There were situations at the weekend where he had a number of saves and a couple with his feet that were key for us and right at the death an outstanding save which protected the lead and protected the result.

“That’s what you need from your keeper and top keepers do that and Alex is one of those that has that ability and that physicality that allows him to be able to do that as a top line keeper.

“I was really pleased for him and the team.

“You saw the reaction from the boys when he made that save. They understood the significance of that save and how key it was at that time in the game so he had a good afternoon’s work.”

Speaking of McCarthy’s England chances, Hughes added: “Not sure, maybe, let’s see how the rest of the season pans out.

“If he does the same all through the games that we play and we get a similar result as a consequence then I’d advocate he’s involved but it might be early for him.”

The win over Bournemouth has given Saints a real chance of staying up, but it’s now three massive games in nine days starting at Goodison Park.

“The key for us is that our focus is totally on the next game,” admitted Hughes.

“It’s the only way to approach it and the correct way to approach it.

“We focussed all our energies on the Bournemouth game and got that one out of the way and now we focus on Everton.

“Their home form is good and the number of points Sam has earned is really high and he has probably got the same amount of points in that time as Arsenal have.

“Their home form is invariably strong.”