GIVEN: FORSTER IS THE HARDEST WORKER IN FOOTBALL

Stoke City goalkeeper Shay Given said that he knows nobody that works harder than his former Newcastle teammate, Fraser Foster.

Given claims that the player gives his all in training, tipping the shot stopper to usurp Three Lions No. 1 Joe Hart with time. The Southampton man just recovered from a knee injury but he has quickly regained full fitness.

Given and Forster trained together during their time at Newcastle. He revealed that the development of the player surprised staff on Tyneside a bit.

“I worked with him for a few years at and he was nearly too big. He was like 6 ft 5 in at 16 [years old] basically and we looked at him like, ‘is he too big?’ He was a bit clumsy with his feet and he was heavy-footed,” Given revealed to BBC 5 live.

“I don’t know anybody who works harder than Fraser Forster every day in training; not just that, in the gym and stuff [too].”
The 28-year-old player is a reliable hand for Claude Puel’s side. Since starting his career at Newcastle, he has spent time on loan at Stockport County and Bristol Rovers before his Southampton deal. Given believes the talented and hardworking player can be the country’s No.1 anytime soon.

“He’s proved to so many people how good a goalkeeper he really is,” claimed Given. “He played against Barcelona a few years ago for Celtic and the Barcelona media were calling him the human wall,” Given said hailing the English player.

“He’s a fantastic goalkeeper and he’s pushing Joe really hard. You’re only as good as your last game for your country and to be fair to Joe, he was Man of the Match in his last game, so Fraser might just be waiting a bit longer,” Given added.