Ben Foster has targeted selection for Fabio Capello's England squad for next summer's World Cup finals in South Africa, if they qualify, with the Manchester United goalkeeper anxious to gain the regular first-team football he so craves at Old Trafford next season.
Capello watched United's third-choice goalkeeper excel in Sunday's Carling Cup final, impressing in normal and extra-time before producing a critical penalty save from Jamie O'Hara in the shoot-out as the Premier League champions completed the second leg of what would be an unprecedented quintuple of trophies this season.
Foster was making only his seventh appearance for United since his move from Stoke City back in 2005 but, with 16 months to run on his contract, he is keen to make a prolonged impact in the first team in the hope of gaining further international recognition.
"I've got my eyes on being in the England squad for the World Cup finals in South Africa next summer," said Foster, who gained his only cap against Spain under Steve McClaren in 2007 before he had made an appearance for United. "That's a big target for me, like for any player. David James is the England No1 at the moment, but there are a lot of keepers scrambling for places underneath him – Rob Green, Scott Carson, Chris Kirkland, Paul Robinson, Joe Hart.
"I've not been in a squad since Fabio Capello took over because of injuries. When we went up for the trophy it was the first time I had spoken to the man. He shook my hand and said, 'Well done.' I can't expect to be in the England team if I'm not playing regularly. He has made it clear he isn't picking players on reputation, only on merit, and that's the way it should be. I accept that.
"I don't want to even think about leaving United but, at the same time, I need to be pushing my career now. I'll be 26 in April and I need to be playing regular football. The two years I had on loan at Watford, playing week in, week out, were great. Obviously I want that here. I've not spoken to the manager about next season so I don't know how things will pan out. I've just got to keep doing my best and we will see what happens."
Talks are expected to begin on a new contract at Old Trafford before the end of the current season, though the prospect of dislodging Edwin van der Sar, who has not conceded a goal in 16 matches stretching back to 8 November, appears even more daunting than ousting James, another 38-year-old. "Nothing's been said about a new contract yet, but I've got 16 months left and I'm sure there will be no worries," said Foster. "I want to stay here. I'm at Manchester United, the biggest club in the world, and I want to stay here for as long as I can. I'm only 25 and that's young for a keeper. Hopefully I'll have a decade or more here, and I want the Carling Cup to be the first of many more trophies to come my way.
"I've been at the club for three and a half years and never had my hands on a medal until now, which has been a bit of a nightmare. But winning this doesn't mean I'll be in the first-team. We want to win everything and Edwin has been fantastic this season. You have to look at his record of clean sheets so, I just have to keep going and doing the things I do."
The prospect of adding the Premier League title, FA Cup and Champions League to the Carling Cup and the Fifa Club World Cup already claimed remains, with United hoping to maintain at least a seven-point advantage from the chasing pack in the title race with victory at Newcastle tomorrow. "It's down to us," said Rio Ferdinand. "The results at the weekend were good for us, but it's not over. The likes of Chelsea and Liverpool can go on unbeaten runs until the end of the season so we need to be sure we go as well as they do."
"Momentum is key at this stage of the season and it's what every team wants," added Ryan Giggs. "We had it in 1999 [en route to the Treble], we've got it at the moment and, hopefully, we can do it again. We've got to keep winning.
"Newcastle builds momentum into Saturday's FA Cup tie at Fulham, then on to the following Wednesday and Inter in the Champions League. We're experienced enough to know the title race is far from over. We've been in this position before and lost it. We've also been in Chelsea and Liverpool's position and won it, so we all know there's still a long way to go."
