Not many keepers can call on the likes of Joe Hart and Wojciech Szczesny for help and advice when things are not going so well.

But the England and Poland number ones are among the first phone numbers in new Harrow Borough stopper James Shea’s mobile.

Shea is friendly with Hart, having been asked to deputise in a keeper crisis at an England training camp three years ago, and is best pals with Szczesny, after the pair came through the ranks at Arsenal together.

But while the Pole has gone on to become number one at The Emirates, Shea this month arrived at Earlsmead, via a short stay at Needham Market, after being released by Arsene Wenger this summer.

Shea said: “I have grown up with Wojciech as we both started at Arsenal at the age of 16 and I still speak to him every day. I can always talk to him. Lucas Fabianski and Manu Almunia were also very good with me, as was Tony Roberts, the goalkeeping coach.

“The England training thing came about because they train at London Colney, alongside Arsenal, and they had no fit keepers to train with Joe Hart, so they asked to borrow one.

“Seeing as I was the only English keeper, I got the nod. Joe was spot on and still says hello to me now.”

Until Saturday’s 2-1 home defeat to Thamesmead, Harrow were unbeaten in all four games Shea had played in, but Boro fans have been warned to enjoy him while he can.

He added: “I want to get back playing as high as I can. I loved being on the bench for a Champions League game for Arsenal (at Montpellier in September 2012) and I want to get back there.

“But I have been impressed with Harrow and am really enjoying it. The move came about as my old goalkeeper coach at Arsenal is good mates with (Boro boss) Dave Anderson, and I needed to play games. Dave is an ex keeper himself so knows the role and looks at my game.”

Anderson is not expecting to have Shea in his ranks for too long and has backed the 22 year old to make it back to the top.

He said: “I expect James to be a Football League keeper in the not too far future, but until then he is ours.”

Meanwhile, Harrow’s tenants, Hendon, set up a first round FA Trophy tie with Whitstable Town, after goals from Carl McCluskey and Anthony Thomas secured a 2-1 win over Oxford City on Saturday.