Carson to compete with Reina next season
Scott Carson is the most capped England under-21 of all time
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Friday, 22, Jun 2007 04:52
Rafael Benitez has confirmed that England under-21 goalkeeper Scott Carson will return to Liverpool next season.
Benitez loaned Carson out to Charlton Athletic for the duration of last season in order for him to experience regular first-team Premiership football.
And despite being relegated with Alan Pardew's men, the England under-21 regular was voted the club's player of the season after a string of fine performances.
Carson's stock has also risen after playing regularly for the under-21s but Benitez insists that he will not sanction the shot-stopper leaving on another season-long loan this year.
"I was speaking to Scott recently and I told him he will be part of our first-team squad next season," the Spanish tactician told Liverpool's official website.
"He must fight with Pepe Reina now for a starting place. We knew when we fought off Chelsea to sign him he was a talented goalkeeper.
"He got some good experience last season and now he is coming back to us."
Carson recently set a new record for caps won with the England under-21s when he was part of the team that were knocked out by hosts Holland in the semi-finals of the European Championships.
The 21-year-old saved one penalty in the marathon 32-kick shootout, eventually won by the Dutch 13-12.