West Bromwich Albion defender Liam Ridgewell has insisted that his teammate Ben Foster is as good a goalkeeper as Joe Hart.

The duo are in the current England squad, but Manchester City keeper Hart is widely considered to be the number one stopper.

However, Ridgewell believes that Foster's ability has made him more than a match for Hart, or any other international keeper.

"I don't see why Ben shouldn't be in that bracket. He has been playing so well for a long period of time. He is easily an international goalkeeper and I think he would get in most international teams in Europe," Ridgewell is quoted as saying by the Express & Star. "It's brilliant for England to have someone like that but it's unfortunate for him that England have two goalies at a top drawer level in Joe and him.

"It is phenomenal for England because they have two such good goalkeepers who both deserve to play in every game. I don't see too many other international teams that have the standard of goalies that England have got.

"The two of them are quite similar. They are brilliant shot stoppers, good at kicking, good at talking and, when you need them most, they make that vital save. I would hate to be Roy Hodgson, having to pick just one of them."

Foster has made just five appearances for the Three Lions.