James, 37, has regained the England goalkeeper's jersey under Fabio Capello after Paul Robinson and Scott Carson both fell out of favour and the Portsmouth veteran has spoken of his desire to play in South Africa in two years' time.

Shilton, England's most capped player with 125 appearances, played into his 40s before bowing out at the 1990 World Cup in Italy and believes there is no reason why James cannot do the same.

Shilton, speaking at the launch of Mars' 100,000 ball give-away, said: "I played in my last World Cup when I was nearly 41 in 1990 and I think I could have carried on for another couple of years if I'd wanted to, and I think David James is fit enough to be good enough for the next World Cup unless he gets a major injury.

"Certainly he's got the experience, but if young Joe Hart comes through and does really well and handles it well, then just because he's young doesn't mean he can't make the position his own.

"Age, to me, is not a factor. I played for England when I was very young and coped with the pressure.

"It's just about if you're good enough and consistent."

Shilton, a European Cup and league title winner with Nottingham Forest, made his debut for England aged just 22 and insists Manchester City youngster Hart, 21, can capitalise on the current uncertainty surrounding the national team goalkeeping position.

"I haven't watched him enough to form an opinion but I think somebody like him is a plus," Shilton said.

"He's young, he's inexperienced still, he could develop into somebody who could come right through and challenge everybody and it's a situation where we want somebody to do that.

"Joe Hart has obviously got the potential so we'll see how he reacts when he gets his chance.

"I think if you're good enough, age doesn't matter. But at the end of the day you've got to gain experience at international level, it's totally different from club football and obviously you are going to make mistakes initially.

"I certainly did when I got in the England team but that's what the manager has got to appreciate. Every game these days is pressurised and certainly you can't be experimenting at major tournaments."