Hodgson inspired Foster to break retirement

West Brom goalkeeper Ben Foster said England manager Roy Hodgson was
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the reason he came out of international retirement.

Hodgson signed Foster for the Baggies during the 16-month reign at the Hawthorns, and the 29-year-old is delighted to be working with his former manager again.

“After working with Roy last season it was a no-brainer to return,” Foster told the club’s official website.

“I know what Roy is about. He’s a fantastic coach and I think he’s brought a lot to England.

“He’s brought a feel-good factor back to the country and people now seem to want to get behind England and will them on – and that’s really nice.

“I spoke to Roy very briefly and he just congratulated me and I said thank you to him, then he was just telling me about the plan for meeting up and that was it.”

Foster ended his two-year international exile with a U-turn in February, though he admits he is not expecting to dislodge current first-choice goalkeeper Joe Hart – who he hailed as ‘one of the best in the world’.

“I’m not expecting to play to be honest,” he continued.

“Joe is first choice and I’m more than happy with that.

“Joe is amazing – an absolutely fantastic goalkeeper – and we’re very lucky to have someone like that. I’m just there to help out and I’m more than happy to do that.

“We’ve got to be very thankful to Joe. He is one of the best goalkeepers in the world and I’ve said many times that he could be England’s number one for the next ten or 15 years. We’re very lucky with Joe.”