Former England goalkeeper Nigel Martyn has backed Ben Foster for a World Cup place, after the out of favour Manchester United custodian came through his latest Three Lions test relatively unscathed.

Foster, 26, complained of feeling 'disheartened' at being reduced to third choice pick at Old Trafford, but Martyn saw sufficient positives in the shot-stopper's performance against Brazil to back him for a spot in South Africa.

The former Watford keeper was generally regarded as blameless for Nilmar's goal, and although he was lucky to escape with a booking following a Wes Brown mistake, former Leeds and Everton man Martyn was encouraged by what he saw.

"I thought he did very well against Brazil. His handling was really good and you couldn't blame him for the goal and he made some important saves to keep us in the game," he told the Daily Telegraph.

Martyn, 43, who was limited to 23 England appearances by Arsenal counterpart David Seaman, did however stress that Foster's predicament at Old Trafford may become a detrimental factor in his bid to keep his England squad place.

"It is going to be difficult for him but he's just got to get his head down and try to win back his place," he continued.

"But he has now lost his place (at United) and that puts more of a question mark over him. I just wonder if a Premier League manager out there might just make a little cheeky request to get him in January.

"I think probably they will want to keep hold of him in case anything happens to Van Der Sar or Kuszczak in the interim period.

"It's a bit of a gamble should they release him and then something happens after that. So I don't really see them letting him go."

On the subject of who would be Fabio Capello's No.1 at the World Cup, Martyn explained that the jersey was still there for the taking, with West Ham's Robert Green and Portmouth's David James in with a shout.

"Robert Green is very consistent probably the one that is playing consistently for his club at West Ham, David James has got his knee problem and is in and out and so he needs to get that sorted for himself," he concluded.