Baggies No.1 named in Hodgson's 23-man England squad
BEN Foster is 'over the moon' he is off to Brazil after today becoming the first Albion player in 44 years to make an England World Cup squad.
The Baggies No.1 yesterday scooped the Fans’ Player of the Season and Players’ Player of the Season awards at The Hawthorns.
He is now part of Three Lions boss Roy Hodgson’s 23-man party for this summer’s tournament, with Italy, Uruguay and Costa Rica awaiting in the group stage.
And he has become the first Albion player to be part of an England World Cup squad since club legend Jeff Astle in 1970.
Foster, who has six caps to his name, said: “It will be incredible and it’s something to tell the grandkids about.
“I’m over the moon.
“Not many people get to say that they’re going to a World Cup so to say I’m going to one in Brazil makes it that bit more special.”
The squad will travel to Portugal next week to begin their World Cup preparations, before facing Peru in their final match at Wembley on Friday, May 30.
They will then fly out to Miami, where they will play two more warm-up games against both Honduras and Ecuador before completing their road to Brazil in time for the opening game with Italy on Saturday, June 14.
FULL ENGLAND SQUAD:
Goalkeepers: Joe Hart (Manchester City), BEN FOSTER (ALBION), Fraser Forster (Celtic).
Defenders: Leighton Baines (Everton), Gary Cahill (Chelsea), Phil Jagielka (England), Glen Johnson (Liverpool), Phil Jones (Manchester United), Luke Shaw (Southampton), Chris Smalling (Manchester United).
Midfielders: Ross Barkley (Everton), Steven Gerrard (Liverpool), Jordan Henderson (Liverpool), Adam Lallana (Southampton), Frank Lampard (Chelsea), James Milner (Manchester City), Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain (Arsenal), Raheem Sterling (Liverpool), Jack Wilshere (Arsenal).
Attackers: Rickie Lambert (Southampton), Wayne Rooney (Manchester United), Daniel Sturridge (Liverpool), Daniel Welbeck (Manchester United).
Standby: John Ruddy (Norwich City), Jon Flanagan (Liverpool), John Stones (Everton), Michael Carrick (Manchester United), Tom Cleverley (Manchester United), Andy Carroll (West Ham United), Jermain Defoe (Toronto FC).