Ben Foster will be included in Fabio Capello's
England squad despite his lack of action for Manchester
United.
Capello will announce his party to face Slovakia in a friendly
and Ukraine in the World Cup qualifiers on Sunday night, with both
matches taking place at Wembley.
Foster has struggled with injuries ever since the Italian
replaced Steve McClaren at the helm of the national team 15 months
ago.
But he produced a man-of-the-match display in the Carling Cup
final win over Tottenham in front of a watching Capello and has
done enough to be included, despite the England manager's stated
preference for players who are club regulars.
"I will pick Foster," said the England boss. "A lot of people
have told me he is a very good goalkeeper but he has always been
injured.
"I watched him on TV and then he played in the Carling Cup Final
and I saw him there.
"He surprised me with his confidence. I went to Fulham hoping to
see him in the FA Cup tie but Sir Alex (Ferguson) pulled him
out.
"I will check him again during the week in training and then
decide if he is going to play."
Capello has pledged to make his maximum number of
six substitutions in the friendly against Slovakia on 28th March in
order to ensure his team are fresh and raring to go for the crucial
World Cup qualifier against the Ukraine on 1st April, meaning
Foster is almost certain to feature.
The 25-year-old will replace Joe Hart in the squad, with the
Manchester City youngster recently ousted from first-team duties by
the arrival of Shay Given at Eastlands.
"It is different for goalkeepers," admitted Capello, when
pressed on Foster's clear status as Old Trafford understudy to
Edwin van der Sar.
"I want to get to know him and this is the first time he has
been fit."
Despite England being outclassed as they suffered a 2-0 defeat
to Spain in their last outing, Capello is genuinely optimistic for
the future.
"When we lost against France (Capello's second game in charge) I
said I was happy because I understood a lot of things," said the
Italian.
"Now I understand even more. I know the value of my team.
"The next time we play Spain it will be different. Now I know we
can play against every country in the world."