West Bromwich Albion manager Steve Clarke has revealed that he ranks Ben Foster alongside the Premier League's best goalkeepers.
Foster has helped the Baggies make an impressive start to the season, leading Clarke to declare that he deserves to be mentioned among the country's best stoppers.
He told Sky Sports News: "I have worked with goalkeepers like Petr Cech and Pepe Reina and Ben is right up there with them.
"He's a little unorthodox yet he makes saves that maybe Cech wouldn't make. He's not a normal goalkeeper and has different ways of saving the ball.
"The bottom line is that he keeps the ball out of the net, and that's a great gift."
Foster retired from international football in May 2011 to focus on his club career, a decision that Clarke believes has improved his club form considerably.
