West Brom manager Steve Clarke expects to see Ben Foster at his best next season as players vie for World Cup places.
Foster came out of international retirement in May having spent the previous two years unavailable for the England national squad.
He made his first appearance since announcing that return in the 1-1 draw against the Republic of Ireland, and his club manager now expects him to raise his game as he attempts to book a place in Roy Hodgson’s squad – should they qualify for Brazil 2014.
The goalkeeper made 30 appearances for West Brom in the Premier League last season, conceding 46 goals, and Clarke knows that there could be huge positives for his side now the player is available for England again.
“I think he will benefit from the fact he wants to go and represent his country at the World Cup next year,” he told the Birmingham Mail.
“He needs to have a good season. If Ben’s ambition is to play for England in the World Cup 2014 in Brazil then West Brom can only benefit from that.”
Former West Brom goalkeeper, and current goalkeeping coach, Dean Kiely has been impressed with Foster when he has been working with him over the past season and he was full of praise for the 30-year-old’s attitude.
“We saw the benefit of a fully fit functioning Ben Foster and I think he has been immense,” Kiely said.
“When I first came to the club we wouldn’t have attracted a goalkeeper of his stature. We would have found it very difficult to attract players in that bracket.
“At Manchester United he was still the same goalkeeper, he still has the same attributes, but if you are not in that side and playing every week you are then not showing the fans what you can do.”
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