Southampton full-back Ryan Bertrand has heaped praise on Fraser Forster after the goalkeeper made his long-awaited return from injury on Wednesday.
The 27-year-old spent 10 months on the sidelines due to a serious knee injury, but returned to keep a clean sheet as Southampton ran out 2-0 winners over Watford at St Mary's.
In Forster's absence, Stoke City keeper Jack Butland has emerged as the main competition for Joe Hart's place in the England team, but Bertrand gives his teammate the edge in that battle for the No.1 jersey.
"I was very happy for him to come back and get a clean sheet, so it's a fantastic return for him and a massive boost for us. [Forster's presence is] good, he fills you with confidence. It's good to have him back. It was a long old [injury]. I was fortunate that I kept him going for a few months when he had his injury," Bertrand is quoted as saying by PA.
"He's been working so hard since the day it happened and he's done wonders to come back so early and be in the condition he's in, it's fantastic. First and foremost we're going to concentrate on Southampton and getting the right results here and hopefully our performances will be good enough for England. He's a massive boost. He was fantastic for us last year and I'm sure he'll continue that.
"He's calm and if any forward goes through one on one, it's not often, but you'd back Frase to save it. He'll definitely be good for us at the back but Maarten's done a very good job there too before that. Frase [can challenge Hart over Butland]. He's just picked up from where he left off. For me, Frase edges it."
Forster is expected to start again when Southampton welcome West Bromwich Albion to St Mary's on Saturday.
Barney Corkhill
