West Brom manager Steve Clarke has welcomed Ben Foster's return to the England squad and backed his goalkeeper to enjoy a successful international career at the second time of asking.
The Baggies goalkeeper recently made himself available for selection for the Three Lions having withdrawn from contention two years ago. Foster had found himself restricted to the fringes of the squad before citing injury complications and family reasons for his decision to drop out after the 29-year-old had earned five caps.
However, with his fitness and form stronger than ever, Foster is back in the picture and has been recalled by Roy Hodgson for England's forthcoming World Cup qualifiers against San Marino and Montenegro. "We're all delighted for Ben," said Clarke.
"He obviously made himself available for selection and he explained his reasons for pulling out initially.
"It's good. I like my players to be involved for their countries because I think it's a great honour. It was a disappointment for me that I only got to represent Scotland six times at senior level. So for the players who do get selected to play for their country, it's great. I'm sure he'll do well."
Foster missed several games earlier this season with a niggling groin injury but is currently in fine form having taken his time to recover.
"We think, touch wood, that Ben is in a good place physically now," said Clarke, who succeeded England coach Hodgson at the Hawthorns last summer.
"He's done a lot of work with the fitness and conditioning staff. He obviously feels in a really good place fitness-wise and I think that's important.
"I think if he'd felt there were any fitness issues, he wouldn't have come back. So the fact he's come back tells you he's in a good place physically.
"I think the fact he had two procedures earlier in the season - which went on a little bit longer than they should have done and it too him a bit longer to recover - it actually 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."
Source: PA
