Van der Sar backs Foster

Edwin Van der Sar has backed Manchester United team-mate Ben Foster to bounce back even stronger following his recent indifferent form.

Ironically despite his show of support for his fellow goalkeeper the Dutchman will be looking to dislodge Foster and regain his number one spot when Bolton visit Old Trafford on Saturday.

The England international has filled in for the 38-year-old with mixed results this term while the veteran was sidelined with a hand injury picked up in pre-season.

Foster has been at fault for a number of goals in recent games, most notably against Manchester City and Sunderland last week when he allowed Kenwyne Jones to muscle in and rise above him to head home.

"Ben certainly has the strength of character to overcome what he has been through and how he deals with it will shape the player he will be," Van der Sar told the Daily Telegraph.

"He is a very strong. I have sympathy for him, but I have no worries about him. Nobody has clear path in their career. You go up and down and you just have to make sure that the downs are not as deep as the ones you go up.

"I had similar things when I was young. That is what makes you the man you become as a goalkeeper."

Van der Sar returned to action for United's reserves against Everton last week and admits he is ready to fight for his first-team place.

"I want my place back," he added.

"Playing in the reserves last Tuesday was an ideal moment for me to get a game under my belt before the Premier League begins again after the international break. I needed a game."