Southampton goalkeeper Fraser Forster revealed he is thrilled with his first-team return, stating: “I’ve always been keen to come back and play here.”
Forster returned to the club’s starting team for the first time in 612 days on Monday night, following Alex McCarthy’s positive Covid-19 test, and kept a clean sheet as his side defeated Liverpool 1-0.
Southampton Goalkeeper Fraser Forster Pleased with First Team Return
Forster: “It’s Been a Tough Few Years”
Discussing losing the number one spot in the Daily Echo, Forster said: “It’s been a strange few years, it’s been a tough few years.”
“Obviously it’s a club I love a lot. I had some fantastic times here in the past and I’ve always been keen to come back and try and play here. That’s all I wanted to do in the summer.
“But obviously the team has been doing well and Al’s been doing well so it’s just important I can help the team and the club in any way I can.
“You never know what’s going to happen – injuries happen and with COVID people can be ruled out, so you’ve just got to be ready for when you do play.”
The 32-year-old also commented on adapting to Ralph Hasenhuttl’s style of play, continuing: “He obviously wants the goalkeepers to play a bit higher and sweep up behind the back four.
“It’s stuff I’ve worked on and I always want to keep improving, keep learning and the manager has been fantastic with me.
“It was just one of those where you’ve got to wait your time for any opportunities and that’s the main thing. It was nice to get back out there and play at St Mary’s again and then obviously nice to keep the clean sheet.”
Forster: Southampton First Choice to Regular Bench Warmer
Arriving at St Mary’s from Celtic in 2014, Forster quickly established himself as a Southampton regular and was the club’s established number one keeper during his first three seasons.
However, following a 5-2 defeat to Tottenham Hotspur in December 2017, the 32-year old found himself pushed out of the first team by McCarthy and, later, Angus Gunn.
After making just one appearance during the 2018/19 campaign, Forster spent last season on loan at Celtic, where he made 35 appearances for Neil Lennon’s treble-winning squad.
Returning to Southampton in the summer, the England international found himself once again on the bench but, with McCarthy self-isolating, Forster finally has his chance to retake the gloves.
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