Foster Out To Pip Van der Sar To Manchester United's No. 1 Shirt Next Season

England hopeful Ben Foster has acknowledged that his World Cup dreams could hinge on his ability to play his way into Sir Alex Ferguson's first team plans...

Edwin van der Sar's understudy at Manchester United, Ben Foster, was deemed to be a surprise inclusion in Fabio Capello's latest England squad as the League Cup winning shot-stopper has struggled to establish himself in Sir Alex Ferguson's first team, despite being 25 years old.

In order to secure his plane-seat to the World Cup in South Africa in 2010, should the Three Lions qualify, Foster acknowledges that he may need to play his way into the first team at Old Trafford, which could prove an laborious task considering Van der Sar's record-breaking season guarding goal.

"The biggest club in the world against the biggest competition in the world - that is the dilemma," he explained to Sky Sports. "Playing for England is a hugely important thing but I am also at the biggest club in the world. I will only get one chance at that and I don't want to give it up.

"I have to come back next season and get into the manager's face as much as I can. I want to be playing and I want to get into the World Cup squad next season."

England's current No. 1, David James, will be 40 by the time the world's most prestigious international football tournament begins next year. Meanwhile, the chasing pack - Robert Green, Scott Carson, Paul Robinson and Joe Hart - have continually failed to exert themselves as automatic choices.

By securing the No. 1 spot for Ferguson's trophy-chasing side, the corresponding jersey for the national team would presumably follow, but Foster is not taking this for granted.

"Possibly that is true," he said. "Playing for United does not guarantee you anything but it would certainly make it easier. I am up for the job but it is proving tough enough to get into the United squad at the moment."

He still concluded by saying, "It certainly feels good to get that little bit of recognition."

Foster has received just the solitary international cap to date, handed to him by former manager Steve McClaren in February 2007.