Ben Foster has admitted he expects to be dropped
for Manchester United's Premier League trip to
West Brom on Tuesday night.
For the first time in a United career that is over three
years old, Foster has completed successive games, following up an
appearance in the Carling Cup semi-final win over Derby by helping
the Red Devils advance to the FA Cup fifth round by beating
Tottenham at Old Trafford.
But while the 25-year-old appears to have edged ahead of Tomasz
Kuszczak in the pecking order, both men know they are currently
battling to be understudy to Dutch veteran Edwin van der Sar.
And Foster fully anticipates Van der Sar will be called upon to
keep out the Baggies as United look to consolidate their position
as Premier League leaders.
"It is a couple of years since I last played two games in a
row," said Foster.
"That is a long time, so it is nice for me and has given me a
bit of extra confidence.
"Long may it continue, although I doubt it will. I don't expect
to keep my place because Edwin has been doing fantastically
well."
Foster does not feel he has edged ahead of Kuszczak in the
battle to become Sir Alex Ferguson's second choice.
That picture should become much clearer on March 1 as Van der
Sar is not expected to feature in the Carling Cup final against
Spurs at Wembley as he has not been involved in any of the previous
rounds.
For Foster, who missed virtually all last season after damaging
cruciate ligaments right at the end of his second year on loan at
Watford, it is a question of maintaining concentration and being
ready for the challenges when they present themselves.
"Usually the manager pulls you over at the end of the week
before you are going to play and says you are in," said Foster.
"It gives you three or four days to prepare.
"It is a difficult situation for the goalkeepers because we have
three good ones all vying for the same spot, so you have to expect
at some time in the season you are going to be left out.
"Fortunately I have had a little run in the team but I am sure
Tomasz will have them as well, if he hasn't already."
Goalkeeper is the one area of Ferguson's squad that has not been
affected by a chronic injury list that will leave him without a
dozen men on Tuesday.
Teenage duo Fabio and Danny Welbeck are the latest to limp out
of the fray, the Brazilian in particular enjoying a splendid debut
until he suffered a calf strain that has put him back on the
sidelines to where he was consigned after a recent shoulder
operation.
Not that Foster is going to be using a lack of manpower as an
excuse should United fail in their trophy hunt.
"Most teams are worried that injuries will catch up with them
because most teams are struggling," said the former Stoke keeper,
who was a target for Spurs boss Harry Redknapp, only to be told by
Ferguson there was no chance of a deal.
"Tottenham have a lot of injuries and we have quite a few but
that is just the way it is.
"You know the rules at the start of the season.
"You need a team to last the whole season. If you have not got
the squad to see it through it is your own fault."