West Brom goalkeeper Ben Foster today made himself available for a return to the England squad after a fresh plea from former Baggies boss Roy Hodgson.
Hawthorns head coach Steve Clarke today revealed Foster is willing to play for his country again, after talks with Hodgson to end his international sabbatical.
Foster could now be included in away World Cup qualifiers against San Marino on March 22 and Montenegro on March 26, with the squads due to be announced in early March.
The 29-year-old rejected Hodgson's appeal for him to end his self-imposed exile last summer, following the veteran coach's departure from the Hawthorns to take charge of England.
The player insisted he needed to spend international breaks resting with his family, to avoid the risk of the niggling injuries that blighted earlier parts of his career returning.
But Scot Clarke said: "Ben spoke to me about it last week. His reasons are good. He's had his little time out that he wanted to spend with his young family, which you can understand and respect.
"He also had some injury problems that he felt needed time during the season to help him recover and get from game to game.
"His family is a bit older now and I think he's getting a few days off in the international break and finding his kids are at school, so he has a little bit more spare time on his hands.
"And he's obviously got ambition as well. He wants to make himself available for his country again. But he explained to me he wanted to play for his country again.
"He would like to play in a major tournament, which is something I regret in my career, having not played for Scotland in a major tournament.
"He's at the peak of his form and he's proved he's international class in the past and, if selected, I'm sure he'll prove it again.
Hodgson is desperate to increase his goalkeeping options, especially with Joe Hart suffering a slight dip in form this season with Manchester City.
Hart remains Hodgson's clear No 1, but the national boss is short of cover with Norwich's John Ruddy out injured since November and former first-choice Rob Green losing his place in the Queens Park Rangers team.
That has left Celtic's Fraser Forster and inexperienced Birmingham youngster Jack Butland as the only obvious alternatives to Hart.
But the England boss has shown little inclination to recall the Cumbrian, having replaced him at the Hawthorns with Foster.
Foster won five full caps for England between 2007 and 2010, but made himself unavailable during his time with Birmingham.
But he has a close working relationship with England goalkeeping coach Dave Watson, who was on the Blues staff during his time at St Andrew's.
West Brom goalkeeper Ben Foster today made himself available for a return to the England squad after a fresh plea from former Baggies boss Roy Hodgson.
West Brom today set 50 points as their next Premier League target – but the Baggies' players have the all-clear to aim for Europe.
West Brom coach Keith Downing today hinted the Baggies will knock back any fresh attempt by Blackburn to sign winger Jerome Thomas on loan.
Not sure how to take this news, pleased for Ben as ive no doubt he is at the moment englands best keeper, but i fear we wont be able to hang onto him when other clubs see just how good he is.
How many times did I come on these threads stating that Foster should reconsider his stance on not playing for England. Not one of you agreed with me, not one of you accepted the possibility of a fine goalkeeper making a decision he may regret. I can remember the 'he wants to spend time with his family claptrap' and the 'what's the use of just sittin on the bench ' I even got told I couldn't see the wood for the trees by a Jock !! But guess what, to my absolute shock and horror good old Ben has had enough of Alton Towers and is thinking of pulling on the three lions. Better late than never I suppose , but I wonder if a certain regular blogger on here will change his tune yet again and say he wanted this all along...... I backed him into a corner last time so he just stopped his replies. He knew he was wrong at that time you see, a bit like Ben Foster. Goo on Roy sort em arhht.....Rio looms!
Obviously he feels his niggles are behind him and wants to be England's No1 Keeper. West Bromwich Albion will have England's No1 keeper on their books.
(Hart remains Hodgson's clear No.1,) Whoever printed the bracketed words in the above blog, Don't know how fair Roy Hodgson is, like us BAGGIES do. Show 'em Ben.
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