Source: Daily_Mail
Alex McLeish warns against burn-out for Ben Foster
ShareAlex McLeish has claimed that Ben Foster's injury problems have contributed to his withdrawal from England duty - and warned that more top players may follow suit if the fixture-list remains so congested.[LNB] Birmingham City's boss said that he had already asked the club's keeper to postpone his decision to retire from international football earlier this season but was unable to prevent Foster from going through with hisplan this week.[LNB]And McLeish, who suffered withdrawals aplenty during his time in charge of Scotland said that the extra demands put on today's top players are increasing their chances of burn-out.[LNB] Sidelined: Foster's last appearance for England came against France last November[LNB]He said: 'I know there has been patching up jobs done on Ben over the past three or four years.[LNB]'At Manchester United, there were periods when he missed games because of injury. It was the one little question-mark we had when we signed him.[LNB]'He's had injections to play for us. And I just think that these are acceptable circumstances. You can't say he is turning his back on England. He has given his reasons. Let the guy get on with it. He feels it's right in order for him to prolong his club career.[LNB] Club versus country: Foster is content to focus on City for the time being[LNB]'This is a very demanding league. It places enormous demands on the players. Sir Alex Ferguson wrote in his book about young players at Aberdeen maybe playing too much and how it might have curtailed a few careers, that they didn't have the length of career that they should have.[LNB]'He learned a lot from that when he went to Manchester United. People like Ryan Giggs and Paul Scholes have benefited from it.[LNB]'You don't know what an individual is feeling in his body. I think that the rest will do Ben the world of good. The psychological boost he will get from completing an entire season will be very good for him. I know there will be a lobby saying that he can't choose when to come back, but that will be up to the manager.'[LNB] Eyes on the ball: Foster (left) has impressed for Birmingham this season[LNB]And McLeish said that Foster's withdrawal could be the tip of the iceberg. As reported in Sportsmail, West Ham's Rob Green is also thinking of following suit.[LNB]'There is an understanding (of burn-out) already. We are moving towards greater understanding.[LNB]'I saw Andy Robinson, the Scottish rugby coach, talking about a player who was 'over-trained.' It's a new one to me, but players just live for playing and training and end up with problems. The sports' science is there to look at these kind of things.[LNB]'I think FIFA have to help too. There has to be some more leeway with clubs. I know people think FIFA should pay players' wages if they are injured while they are away on international duty but there has to be less intensity in the calendar.'[LNB] Birmingham defend 'patriotic' Foster's decision to quit England dutyFoster shock: Capello learns of keeper snub via Birmingham's website Meet Ben Foster, the keeper who hates life in the spotlightAll the latest Birmingham news, features and opinion [LNB] Explore more:People: Alex Ferguson, Paul Scholes, Ryan Giggs, Alex McLeish, Andy Robinson, Ben Foster Places: Aberdeen, Manchester, Scotland, United Kingdom
