Manchester United goalkeeper Ben Foster is weighing up the possibility of a loan move next season.
The England international has seen his progress stall this season and is now looking to regain momentum. Foster was the hero of United's Carling Cup final triumph against Tottenham Hotspur just over a year ago, winning the Man of the Match award for his penalty shoot-out heroics. He was also rewarded with his second England cap in the summer.
He began this campaign as first-choice stand-in for the injured Edwin van der Sar and won further caps against Belarus and Brazil in the autumn. But a couple of high-profile errors saw him drop down the pecking order at Old Trafford behind Tomasz Kuszczak and the fit again van der Sar.
However the 27-year-old has lost none of his faith in his own ability and is determined to bounce back - even if it means going out on loan for regular match practice.
bounce back
He told premierleague.com: "It has been a disappointing season for me. It started well and things looked rosy but then it seemed to go downhill.
"Sometimes it just does not work out but I still have confidence I can bounce back. "I only signed a new contract with United last summer. I have three years left and don't want to leave. "But maybe a loan move might help. You can see what it has done for Joe Hart this season. "He has gone to Birmingham and done wonders. He is a fantastic keeper and by playing week in, week out he has shown just how you can progress. "It is hard to do that if you are stuck on the bench or getting the odd chance here or there so it might be something to consider.
"It won't be my decision, that is for the manager and I don't want to get involved in that. But obviously I want to be playing. "Edwin van der Sar has just signed for another year so I can't expect to be playing here.
"It is difficult for goalkeepers because it is such a specialised position. It is not as if you can slot in elsewhere in the team. "There is just the one place so a loan for the season could be ideal and then I will take it from there. "I would love to get a chance at United and I don't want to leave. If you leave United there is only one way to go. "But you never know what will happen in football. Next season will be a big one for me."
crazy game
Foster has still not given up hope of figuring for England in this summer's FIFA World Cup although he admits the chances are slim. After winning four caps, the keeper has not figured for his country since the 1-0 defeat by Brazil in Qatar last November.
He added: "It would be fantastic to be involved in the World Cup but the other keepers have done well so there is a lot of competition for places. "I think I have shown what I am capable of whenever I have been involved with England so I have not written it off but I will just have to wait and see if I am in the squad."
Foster's campaign finished on a high note as he helped United to win the Barclays Premier Reserve League final against Aston Villa at Old Trafford.
The Red Devils came from behind three times to draw 3-3 with the holders before winning on penalties. Foster saved twice and also scored a spot-kick himself, smashing the ball down the middle and into the roof of the net.
He laughed: "It was a bit like a goal-kick. I was always going to leather it. "I made up my mind a couple of weeks ago that I would take one if I got the chance. I took a similar one in pre-season in South Africa but it hit the bar.
"As we walked towards the goal, I told Villa keeper Andy Marshall that I was going to take one - and he knew what was coming but there was nothing he could do about it. I just put my laces through it. "It was a crazy game but a good one to watch. Both teams were tired at the end because we put everything into it and it has been a long season.
"Villa have only lost once all season so we knew it would be a tough match. They are no push-overs but I think we just about deserved it on the balance of play.
"We showed great character to keep coming back in the classic United way." by premierleague.com
bounce back
He told premierleague.com: "It has been a disappointing season for me. It started well and things looked rosy but then it seemed to go downhill.
"Sometimes it just does not work out but I still have confidence I can bounce back. "I only signed a new contract with United last summer. I have three years left and don't want to leave. "But maybe a loan move might help. You can see what it has done for Joe Hart this season. "He has gone to Birmingham and done wonders. He is a fantastic keeper and by playing week in, week out he has shown just how you can progress. "It is hard to do that if you are stuck on the bench or getting the odd chance here or there so it might be something to consider.
"It won't be my decision, that is for the manager and I don't want to get involved in that. But obviously I want to be playing. "Edwin van der Sar has just signed for another year so I can't expect to be playing here.
"It is difficult for goalkeepers because it is such a specialised position. It is not as if you can slot in elsewhere in the team. "There is just the one place so a loan for the season could be ideal and then I will take it from there. "I would love to get a chance at United and I don't want to leave. If you leave United there is only one way to go. "But you never know what will happen in football. Next season will be a big one for me."
crazy game
Foster has still not given up hope of figuring for England in this summer's FIFA World Cup although he admits the chances are slim. After winning four caps, the keeper has not figured for his country since the 1-0 defeat by Brazil in Qatar last November.
He added: "It would be fantastic to be involved in the World Cup but the other keepers have done well so there is a lot of competition for places. "I think I have shown what I am capable of whenever I have been involved with England so I have not written it off but I will just have to wait and see if I am in the squad."
Foster's campaign finished on a high note as he helped United to win the Barclays Premier Reserve League final against Aston Villa at Old Trafford.
The Red Devils came from behind three times to draw 3-3 with the holders before winning on penalties. Foster saved twice and also scored a spot-kick himself, smashing the ball down the middle and into the roof of the net.
He laughed: "It was a bit like a goal-kick. I was always going to leather it. "I made up my mind a couple of weeks ago that I would take one if I got the chance. I took a similar one in pre-season in South Africa but it hit the bar.
"As we walked towards the goal, I told Villa keeper Andy Marshall that I was going to take one - and he knew what was coming but there was nothing he could do about it. I just put my laces through it. "It was a crazy game but a good one to watch. Both teams were tired at the end because we put everything into it and it has been a long season.
"Villa have only lost once all season so we knew it would be a tough match. They are no push-overs but I think we just about deserved it on the balance of play.
"We showed great character to keep coming back in the classic United way." by premierleague.com
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