Club News

Foster: Shifting Bo will be tough

And keeper not surprised to see former boss Hughton flying high with Canaries

BEN Foster insists he has a tough job on his hands to win his first-team place back from Boaz Myhill.

The former Manchester United goalkeeper is in a race against time to be fit for tomorrow’s clash with Norwich (ko 3pm).

But even if he wins it he admits Myhill’s form between the sticks could keep him out of the starting XI.

“I don’t think there’s any point in being at a club if you know that once you’ve played three or four games you’re going to get chucked out as soon as the first-choice goalkeeper is available,” said Foster.

“We all know that’s how football is.

“If you lose your first-team place to injury there is always going to be somebody there to take it - and rightly so.

“Boaz has been fantastic since I came out of the team.

“I got back into training yesterday and hopefully I can put some good performances in and take it from there.”

Myhill last month suggested Foster’s form had been so impressive this term he expected him to walk straight back into the team.

But Foster has played such talk down as nonsense.

“I wouldn’t say Boaz expects me back in,” he added.

“He’s lying if he says that!

“I get on with Boaz so well. He’s one of the nicest lads you can meet.

“He’s a lot like me, he’s just so laid-back and calm with everything.

"He is really nice to work with every day.

“We get on really well so it’s not going to be a problem.

"There won’t be any awkward silences.”

Foster is no stranger to Canaries boss Chris Hughton having spent a short period of time under him at Blues.

And he is not surprised to see his former boss bringing the best out of the eighth-placed Norfolk outfit.

“He is amazing with the record he has,” said the 29-year-old custodian.

“When he was at Newcastle he did well and I can’t believe he got sacked from there.

“He did amazingly with Blues last year. I was only there for two or three weeks but I thought he was great.

“He’s a modern manager, a bit like Steve Clarke really.

“He doesn’t get too pally with his players but he’s really approachable, and if you’ve got a problem or something you need to talk about he is always there to chat to you.

“What he’s done with Norwich is great but it’s not really a surprise because there were quite a few teams who wanted him.”

Albion will be looking for their first win in five games and revenge for City beating them 2-1 in the league and by the same scoreline in the FA Cup at The Hawthorns in January.

Foster added: “It was an amazing start for us and the last few games have kind of left a sour taste in the mouth - but some of the games have been tough.

“Arsenal is a really tough place to go and Swansea, on their day, can beat anyone in the league.

“They are one of those teams when you just never know what you’re going to get and unfortunately we got them at their best.

“In the West Ham game I thought we were the better team.

“We probably deserved to win and they were happy with a draw, but at least we stopped the rot and Norwich is a game that we’ll look to win, especially at home.”