Foster Kept As Cover

Sir Alex Ferguson has confirmed that Ben Foster will remain at Old Trafford for the remainder of the season, providing top-class cover for Edwin van der Sar and Tomasz Kuszczak.

The England international was set to build his match fitness with a short-term loan deal until the end of May.

However, Sir Alex opted to exercise caution after van der Sar's recent injury.

"Ben was ready to go out on loan, actually," the manager said on Friday. "I talked to a few managers, then Edwin got his groin injury.

"It's the third time he's had a groin injury this season, so the old dog maybe needs a bit more protection!

"And when Tomasz got his sending off it brought Ben back into the limelight.

"With only seven games to go I think it would be silly to take chances. We have the option, if something were to happen to Edwin again, or even Tomasz, of having England's goalkeeper for the future."

Foster stepped in for the 1-0 win over Derby when van der Sar was injured and Kuszczak was suspsended.

Further chances of first-team football may be limited, however, because Foster is not registered for the Champions League, which means Kuszczak is ahead in the pecking order should van der Sar get injured or need a rest.

Sir Alex admits Foster would most likely have preferred to sample competitive action after so long on the sidelines, even if it meant going out on loan, but paid testament to his selflessness at remaining in Manchester.

"We could have let him go out to Coventry, Nottingham Forest or Stoke City, the teams who enquired about him," said the manager. "But really I think it was an easy decision.

"I don't think it suits Ben entirely, but in fairness to the lad he understood. "At 24 years of age his career's in front of him, he will do very well."