FORMER York City keeper Nick Pope has expressed his "immense pride" at making his international debut - and believes the mood in the England camp is "great" following injury-free World Cup preparations.

Nearly five years after his first loan appearance for the Minstermen, the 26-year-old's meteoric rise hit new heights in Thursday night's 2-0 win over Costa Rica at Elland Road, when he came on as a 65th-minute substitute for Jack Butland.

It was England's last warm-up match before kick-off at Russia 2018 and, while the Burnley number one starts the summer as third-choice behind Butland and Everton's Jordan Pickford, he has hailed the competition between the shot-stoppers.

"That's what helps push us all to be better - that's the way it should be," he told Sky Sports.

"That's the way that's best for the England national team and that's the way that's best for us as individuals.

"It's great to have that rivalry between ourselves and the competition there is.

"I'm immensely proud and privileged to make my England debut and be part of this England group.

"It (the mood) is great - we've had a positive three weeks in the camp as it is, in preparation, so I don't think we could have asked asked for anything better.

"I think the injuries one is obviously something that's a nasty one and can crop up at any time, and to get through the two (warm-up) games and have nothing is a great sign."