Manchester United's Carling Cup final hero Ben Foster met England boss Fabio Capello for the first time on Sunday.

"I had never spoken to Fabio Capello until I went up to get the trophy," said Foster. "He shook my hand and said well done, which was nice, but I have to be realistic, I need to be playing.

"I can't expect to be in the England team when I don't play very often at United.

"From the outside, Fabio seems to have introduced a great work ethic to the England squad.

"He is not going to pick players on name, he is going to pick people who are playing well."

The problem for Foster is that as well as he did at Wembley, it is hard to make any kind of case for Van der Sar's exclusion.

Apart from the three goals he conceded against Gamba Osaka at the Club World Cup, Edwin van der Sar has kept 17 consecutive clean sheets, an amazing record to which Foster can only pay tribute.

"I wouldn't have thought one final will lead to a run of games for me," reflected the 25-year-old.

"We want to win everything this season and Edwin has been unbelievable for us.

"You only have to look at his record of clean sheets, which has been fantastic.

"It is just a bit of bad luck and circumstance that is keeping me out, so I just have to keep going."