BEN Foster is learning how to play the game of patience as he looks to establish himself as Manchester United's No 1.
After spending two years away from Old Trafford on loan at Watford, then missing most of last season after suffering a cruciate knee ligament injury at the end of his stay with the Hornets, Foster is finally getting a chance to impress Sir Alex Fergu
son.
The 25-year-old played his part in a gritty Champions League draw with Celtic in Glasgow last month and tonight he should be asked to keep out Blackburn as United chase a place in the Carling Cup semi-finals at Old Trafford.
With Edwin van der Sar retaining top spot in Ferguson's list of keepers and Tomasz Kuszczak equally desperate to impress, Foster does not get the first-team exposure he would like.
But he realises 38-year-old Van der Sar cannot go on forever and he must maintain his focus to ensure when he is called upon, he produces the form which has led Ferguson to state the former Stoke player is a long-term successor to David James in the England set-up.
"I have got to take any chance that I am given," he said. "United are in a lot of competitions, like the Carling Cup, which gives the manager a chance to make changes. There are also other 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."
He added: "Yes, it probably is harder when you only come in for one game every few weeks. When you are the established number one keeper, you know you are going to be playing, you know what to expect and you can tailor your week to prepare.
"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."
The full article contains 372 words and appears in The Scotsman newspaper.
