England Watch - Ben Foster
Ben Foster is already emerging as a future star in his first Premiership season
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Wednesday, 15, Nov 2006 02:49
Unquestionably England's number one is incumbent Paul Robinson, having produced a fine run of form for club and country stretching back over the last couple of seasons, but whether he'll still be there at World Cup 2010 is not so certain.
There is much debate over which up-and-coming goalkeeper could be called upon if the Spurs stopper is sidelined for one reason or another, and several English 'keepers are beginning to make a name for themselves at various Premiership clubs.
It seems only a few months ago critics were lambasting the fact that quality English goalkeepers were thin on the ground when Robert Green sustained an injury in the approach to the World Cup. There was apparently little competition to keep Robinson on his toes.
As if to confound such criticism, this season has so far seen a number of new faces (and older faces that are finally getting a run out) emerge from the hefty shadows of the six-foot-plus foreign imports that have previously monopolised starting roles for their clubs.
One of the new and exciting home-grown prospects to find this spotlight is Ben Foster.
Name: Ben Foster
Position: Goalkeeper
Club: Watford (Manchester United)
Age by South Africa 2010: 27
Technically on the books of current Premiership leaders Manchester United, Ben Foster would ultimately have been playing second fiddle to current Red Devils stalwart Edwin van der Sar had he remained at Old Trafford for the 2006/07 season.
However, after the close-season loan acquisition of former West Bromwich Albion number one Tomasz Kuszczak gave Sir Alex Ferguson options between the sticks, Foster was allowed to continue his spell at Watford - the club he helped to promotion last season.
Judging by his performances in the Hornets' play-off winning season last year and the way he has started this Premiership campaign, Foster is definitely one to watch.
His athleticism, ability, and, above all, his composure for such a relatively young goalkeeper is remarkable.
Despite playing behind arguably one of the weakest backlines in the top division of English football, Foster has been a shining light for his manager Adrian Boothroyd. He has played a major part in preserving points for his club in the league this season, with more than one instance of late-game heroics highlighting his individual importance to the team, not least in back-to-back goalless draws with Charlton and Spurs last month.
It says a great deal about his stature within the club that Watford fans spent a good portion of their summer fretting over Foster's availability when it was unclear whether or not he would be returning to Vicarage Road.
When it was confirmed that United supremo Ferguson would be allowing his young charge to spend another season farmed out, the chances of Watford's Premiership survival were instantly increased. Being a first-choice goalkeeper has significantly improved Foster's own opportunities to impress any watching England scouts and, on current evidence, he is doing a fine job of grasping this chance with the same gusto as the crosses that come his way, week-in week-out.
England's 2010 World Cup squad
*Players in bold - tickets to South Africa booked already
Goalkeepers
Paul Robinson
Possibles: Chris Kirkland, Ben Foster, Rob Green, Scott Carson
Defenders
John Terry, Ashley Cole, Rio Ferdinand, Jamie Carragher
Possibles: Glen Johnson, Joleon Lescott, Micah Richards, Ledley King, Michael Dawson, Anton Ferdinand, Leighton Baines, Justin Hoyte, Curtis Davies, Wes Brown, Phil Bardsley, Michael Mancienne
Midfielders
Steven Gerrard, Frank Lampard, Owen Hargreaves, Joe Cole, Michael Carrick
Possibles: Aaron Lennon, Tom Huddlestone, Nigel Reo-Coker, Lee Cattermole, Shaun Wright-Phillips, Stewart Downing, Giles Barnes, James Morrison, Kieran Richardson
Forwards
Wayne Rooney, Michael Owen
Possibles: David Nugent, Theo Walcott, James Vaughan, Gabriel Agbonlahor, Jermain Defoe, Peter Crouch, Darren Bent, Dean Ashton, Cameron Jerome