Fraser Forster is now England's Number One by default after Jack Butland joined Joe Hart o the injury list after being carried off in the friendly against Germany.

I have to say that despite his good form for Saints, on merit Fraser Forster was England's third choice keeper, both Joe Hart and Jack Butland were ahead of him in the pecking order and deservedly so having both had excellent seasons for their clubs so far.

That has meant that Forster looked like having to be content with going to the Euro's as number 3 in the goalkeeping order. However he probably would have been well pleased to have been able to do that in the month's after his knee injury just over a year ago.

But now he could find himself with the opportunity to be number one in France this summer after Jack Butland suffered an ankle injury that could well keep him out of the England squad for the Championships, adding to the injury issues that Joe Hart has at present that are sidelining him at Manchester City.

It is likely that Hart will return to the Manchester City side in the next few weeks if reports are accurate, but this season he has suffered a number of niggling pulls and strains and that could well let Forster into the side.

Roy Hodgson has quite rightly stated that Hart is his number one, the City keeper has been consistent for his country and Hodgson quite rightly has said that whilst it is good to see the likes of Butland and Forster playing well for their clubs and pushing for a place, it is Hart's to keep whilst his form continues.

But the injuries to both Hart and Butland will be a worry and it could well give Fraser Forster a chance to stake his claim, he was scheduled to start the game against Holland coming up and that game now has extra emphasis for him.

If Butland does not make the final cut due to injury then Forster will go as number two, so the Holland game is important for him to stake his claim and show that he is very capable of stepping into Joe Hart's shoes should the situation arise.

If he then has a run of games then his fate is in his own hands, although Hodgson has stated that Hart is the number one, he more than anyone will know sides have to be picked on merit and if a player comes in and puts in a series of top knotch performances then it is hard to leave him out.

Hopefully Joe Hart and Jack Butland will both be fit this summer, but f they aren't then the opportunity is there for Fraser Forster.

Photo: Action Images

halftimeorange added 10:30 - Mar 27 Fraser isn't as consistent as Hart or Butland, particularly Hart. He needs to have a fault-free outing against Holland but, unfortunately for him, he is likely to have a weaker team in front of him than last night when, apart from some dazzling attacking, the midfield and defence worked their socks off in the second half to earn the victory. Holland will see the B side in part.

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LesVivian added 14:03 - Mar 27 Forster is indecisive, when dealing with crosses. Saints defenders know this and play accordingly. However, England defenders have little experience of this weakness, and in any case England's central defence is a glaring weakness in itself, so I hope Forster can develop the kind of dominance a six feet seven keeper should have!
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saintsnutcase added 14:06 - Mar 27 Fraser has made a massive difference to our goals conceded when he has been fit, both last season and this season. You can't argue with the numbers. However, when I watch him he doesn't look anywhere near as good as Hart. Hart is far more mobile and quicker on his feet, and just as good as Fraser with one on ones and reflex saves For once, Hodgson is right to go with the guy at the big club.

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SaintBrock added 14:24 - Mar 27 Judging a goalkeeper is harder than for any other position on the field as so much depends on what is in front of him. A great defence can make even an average keeper look solid. What really troubles me is that Fraser seems to make little effort to save many ofhe shots that go past him. The one that beat him last night was described by Hoddle as unstoppable, that no goalkeeper in the world would have got near it. Is this true really? We've seen this happen before with FF, its almost as if Fraser makes a judgement as the ball is struck that he won't get near it so doesn't bother even 'though there's a chance the ball will not be as far out of reach as he guessed. If you chase lost causes just once in a while it might come good for you. I've never seen Hart give up on many balls.

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SanMarco added 14:31 - Mar 27 Are you actually saying that Forster should have saved that SaintBrock? He is six foot seven not twelve foot seven. I do however agree with the weakness you and others identify. He is slow to move into diving mode. If it is hit near him or a 'reflex' save is needed then he is as good as any. A shot heading towards the corner e.g. first Liverpool goal the other day, he is slow to get his act together. Extraordinarily harsh to blame him for the German goal though...

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SaintBrock added 21:39 - Mar 28 SanMarco - probably not and his reflex one handed save was superb but he seems to lack some agility when as you say he ha stop get down quickly for a low balls heading for the corner of the net. I am disappointed that Hodgson considers him third in line to the throne, Butland was beaten far too easily by Pelle the other day. He could have and should have done better with both goals conceded. There was even a stupid comment from BBC Sportsday this evening suggesting "in the absence of Jack Butland, Fraser Forster is likely to start tomorrow night." (!!!!!!!!!) You couldn't make it up, play for Saints and it's the kiss of death from the Beeb!

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