Roy Hodgson, the England manager, called Celtic goalkeeper Fraser Forster into his latest World Cup squad yesterday but then said it would be a mistake to throw him straight into his team.
There have been calls for Forster to replace current No.1 Joe Hart, especially after he was at fault in Manchester City's Champions League defeat by Bayern Munich while Forster shone against Barcelona.
But Hodgson insisted that Hart remained his clear No.1 choice as England face Montenegro and Poland in their World Cup qualifying campaign. Norwich City's John Ruddy, who used to play for Motherwell, is the third goalkeeper in the squad. Forster, who was born in Hexham, has been in and out of England squads since October last year and has still to earn his first cap.
"We're pleased with Fraser, we think he's done really, really well and I think he's got a great future," said Hodgson. "But certainly I think it will be a mistake to suggest that he should be given the responsibility of these two vitally important games.
"The players who have the most experience are the ones who have to make certain that they deserve it and that they are worthy of it in these two games. Then we'll see what Fraser can do. I've got great faith in Joe Hart and I've got no doubt that Joe will come through these games, will get us the results we need, and hopefully put one bad game behind him."
Hart was criticised for two of Bayern Munich's goals in their 3-1 win at Manchester City on Wednesday, 24 hours after Forster had made three outstanding saves in Celtic's 1-0 home defeat by Barcelona.
"I think goalkeepers are always going to be in that situation," said Hogdson. "I believe that Joe will shrug this off, I'm sure that he's not happy with the criticism and he's not happy to have let in goals that he thinks he might have stopped. As far as I'm concerned he's never let me or the team down in the time I've been working with him."
Neil Lennon tweeted his response to the news: "Delighted to see Fraser Forster in the England squad for crucial qualifiers. Great recognition for him and Celtic."
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