Foster prepared to wait

United keeper ready to impress in bid to become No.1

By Richard Bailey   Last updated: 2nd December 2008

Ben Foster Manchester United

Foster: Looking to impress

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Manchester United goalkeeper Ben Foster is set for a rare start when United face Blackburn Rovers in the Carling Cup quarter final on Wednesday.

After signing for United in 2005 Foster spent two successfull years on loan at Watford and the 25-year-old's performances were rewarded with an England debut against Spain at Old Trafford in 2007.

Unfortunately for Foster the season was to end on a sour note as the keeper suffered a cruciate ligament injury which subsequently kept him out of most of last season.

Foster did come back and keep a clean sheet for United away at Derby last season with both Edwin van der Sar and Tomasz Kuszczak injured.

But since then the former Stoke City keeper has made only one more competitive appearance, helping United to a point away at Celtic in this season's UEFA Champions league.

It is for this reason Foster knows that he has to take his chance when the time comes.

Determined

He said: "I have got to take any chance that I am given. United are in a lot of competitions, like the Carling Cup which gives the manager a chance to make changes.

"There are also other Premier League games where he might rotate a little bit and give either myself or Tomasz a chance.

"I just have to get my head down and keep doing the same things in training. Then if my chance comes along, hopefully I will be ready to take it."

After establishing himself as the first choice while on loan at Watford, Foster admits that being a back-up takes some getting used to.

He said: "Yes it probably is harder when you only come in for one game every few weeks.

"When you are the established No.1 keeper, you know you are going to be playing, you know what to expect and you can tailor your week to prepare.

Preparation

"When you don't know whether you are going to be playing, or even involved it is hard to prepare.

"You have to be professional, do the right things in training and be ready when the call comes."

Sir Alex Ferguson will no doubt rest Rio Ferdinand, Wayne Rooney, Dimitar Berbatov, Michael Carrick and Patrice Evra with the likes of Rodrigo Possebon, Darren Gibson, Jonny Evans and Danny Welbeck set to replace them.

Despite the lack of first-team players on the team sheet, United midfielder Darren Fletcher insists that they will all be present in the stands.

"He said: "There could be 15 senior players not involved but we will all turn up and cheer the lads on.

"We all watch the game and we all go into the dressing room beforehand to offer some words or encouragement.

"This is what this club is all about. No-one wants to put anybody down. We want to see the club progress and that means reaching finals."