Hodgson factor key to Foster decision

Until the past week or so the thought that Ben Foster could end his international retirement would not have been something many would have thought would happen?

Well the West Brom keeper did this and cites Roy Hodgson's appointment as manager as a main reason for this.

His more relaxed and calming attitude, not to mention the fact that he worked with him at club level, made it an easier decision for him: 'with Roy in charge, that's a big draw for me.

'I know what Roy is about and just from talking to a few of the lads since he took over he's so much more relaxed round the England set up and under Fabio it seemed to be a little bit too negative.

'Roy has brought that factor of wanting to be there. Roy has brought a lot more optimism and the lads seem really happy to be called up and be involved now.'

Foster had decided to retire a couple of years back when Fabio Capello was in charge with a series of 'niggling injuries' a key factor as well as the time spent away from his young family, which did not help either as this was too long to be away from them for him.

A far too 'serious' way of things, too regimental perhaps, under Capello was something he did not like: 'at the time it was very, very serious with Fabio Capello, we weren't allowed to go out of the hotel and we weren't allowed visitors.

'I was playing with a lot of niggles and my kids were born around that time as well, so they were about one and two so it was hard for me to go away for a week or ten days and not see my kids or family.

'It was too much of a big miss.'

If you are going to play international football being away from your family for long periods of times is something you have to accept, but if this is not something you can do then fair enough you do not do it.

You should also enjoy international football, so again if you are not doing this do not do it!

Having Foster back is going to be a good thing as it will further enhance the pressure on the current no.1 Joe Hart, which should help keep him on his toes and hopefully leave him looking over his shoulder knowing that the pressure is on him.

That said Foster should have no divine right to waltz straight back into the side, let alone squad, ahead of those that did not opt against playing for England for whatever reason.

Foster's return should, and I am sure it will be under Hodgson, be based on current form and to be fair from the sounds of it he is playing as well as anyone right about now anyway...

Vital England on:

Vital England on:

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