It’s Hart-ache for Foster as Joe gets call
GOALKEEPER Joe Hart was last night handed an unexpected England reprieve after Ben Foster withdrew from the squad for tomorrow’s friendly with Holland through injury.
The Manchester United starlet suffered a knock in the Community Shield match against Chelsea at Wembley on Sunday and misses out on the chance to earn a third international cap.
Instead, Hart, currently on a season-long loan at Birmingham from Manchester City, has the chance to impress and stake his claim.
Foster’s withdrawal is an early-season blow for the 26-year-old, who is expected to fill in the boots of Edwin van der Sar as Manchester United’s No1 for the next eight weeks with the veteran Dutchman recovering from a broken finger.
It is, however, believed that his injury is only minor and that he may even be back for United’s season opener against Hart’s Birmingham at Old Trafford on Sunday.
Hart, along with West Ham’s Robert Green and Blackburn’s Paul Robinson are vying for a start at the Amsterdam Arena tomorrow night with first-choice keeper David James left out of the squad by coach Fabio Capello with a knee injury.
ENGLAND SQUAD TO PLAY HOLLAND
Goalkeepers: R Green, J Hart, P Robinson Defenders: W Bridge, A Cole, R Ferdinand, G Johnson, J Lescott, J Terry, M Upson Midfielders: G Barry, D Beckham, M Carrick, S Gerrard, F Lampard, J Milner, T Walcott, S Wright-Phillips, A Young Forwards: C Cole, J Defoe, E Heskey, W Rooney