West Brom boss Clarke delighted at Foster's England call

15-Mar-2013 2:00:00 AM

The Baggies manager is thrilled that his predecessor Roy Hodgson has recalled the keeper to the England squad, after he made himself available for selection again

West Brom manager Steve Clarke is delighted that goalkeeper Ben Foster has been recalled to the England squad for this month's World Cup qualifiers against San Marino and Montenegro.

Foster last played for the Three Lions in November 2010 in a 2-1 defeat against France, before retiring from international football due to fitness and family issues.

But the former Manchester United keeper has made himself available for selection again and wants to add to his five caps when England travel to San Marino to face Group H's bottom side.

“We’re all delighted for Ben,” Clarke told reporters. “I like my players to be involved with their countries. It’s a great honour.

“It’s something I’ve said before; it was a disappointment for me that I only got to represent Scotland at senior level six times. So, when the players get selected for their country it is a great honour.

“I’m sure he’ll do well. We think, touch wood and everything else you do that’s superstitious, that Ben is in a good place physically now.

“He’s done a lot of work with the fitness and conditioning staff and he obviously feels in a good place fitness-wise. I think if he felt there were any fitness issues he wouldn’t have come back.

“I think the fact he had those two hernia procedures earlier in the season seems to have freed him up a little bit and made him more comfortable in himself.

“That’s important, and I think you can see that in his recent performances.”

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