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ENGLAND v SPAIN - FOSTER STINT COULD BE SHORT-LIVED
Steve McClaren has declared Paul Robinson's absence from the England goal purely a temporary affair.
Robinson was a surprise omission from the side to tackle Spain at Old Trafford tomorrow, with McClaren handing Ben Foster his debut.
Given Robinson has been somewhat below par in recent weeks, and conceded four for Tottenham on home soil against Manchester United at the weekend, the decision could be backed up on form alone.
Foster, on loan at Watford from Manchester United, has been outstanding for the Hornets despite their worries at the foot of the Barclays Premiership.
Yet it appears no matter how well the 24-year-old performs against the Spaniards, he cannot expect to keep his place for next month's crucial Euro 2008 qualifier in Israel.
"Paul Robinson is England's first-choice goalkeeper and his position is not under threat," said McClaren.
"He was 90 minutes away from equalling Gordon Banks' clean sheet record and in my six games so far he's conceded only three goals, none of which were his fault.
"One was a freak own goal against Croatia, one was a cross into the box and the smallest player on the park won a header and it looped over his head. And the third one was a long throw we would never concede from again hopefully and is something we can work on."
McClaren has justified his decision by explaining that, with Chris Kirkland missing after failing to recover from a shoulder injury, England would have no alternative keeper to Robinson with any international experience should the current situation repeat itself ahead of the Tel Aviv trip.
And, with Foster edging out fellow promising youngster Scott Carson to make the senior party, he is the man to benefit.
"We are looking at the bigger picture and we have explained that to Paul," said McClaren.
"Apart from Paul no-one in our squad, of our younger goalkeepers Scott Carson, Chris Kirkland and Ben Foster, have got the experience at international level or even European level that Paul Robinson has got.
"Ben needs an chance and this is an opportunity for him to get it."
"His priority is to go out there and play a blinder and create some competition
"If he comes in and proves himself he has obviously going to do that. That will benefit the team. That will benefit everybody."
Robinson is unlikely to be introduced from the bench either given McClaren is limited to six substitutes, all of which he intends to allocate to outfield players.
That means Joey Barton could also be handed a debut in midfield, while Gareth Barry seems certain to see some action despite missing out on the left-back role to Phil Neville.
It will be the first time the Neville brothers have played together for England since Euro 2000.
"I think we have reached plan X," McClaren reflected on his eventual team selection, which sees Shaun Wright-Phillips included after Aaron Lennon pulled out with a stomach bug.
In fact, all of the three strikers - Joe Cole, Andrew Johnson and Wayne Rooney - England used in a new 4-3-3 formation during the draw with Holland in November are missing, with Peter Crouch now leading the attack.
"Injuries play a big part in international football and we have seen this week you don't always have your best players available," he said.
"What you have to do is build a squad where you know you have people who can come in and do just as good a job as the people who are injured or going out."
Both Lennon and Rooney have been released back to their clubs, although in the Manchester United man's case, the ankle injury that has ruled him out of tomorrow's game should not hinder his chances of featuring against Charlton at the weekend.
"We have been looking at Wayne over the last couple of days and, while he should be okay for Saturday, tomorrow will come just too soon for him."
By Bettingzone.co.uk
Used with permission.
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