ENGLAND'S #1

Alex Ferguson has helped to pick England's goalkeeper for tonight's Old Trafford friendly against Spain - but Steve McClaren can afford to smile about it.

United's third-choice stopper Ben Foster, currently on loan at Watford, will step up for his first senior cap on the recommendation of Reds' boss Ferguson.

And England coach McClaren says he has no misgivings about plunging the 23-year-old - who has yet to play for United's first team - in against one of Europe's top sides.

Last week, United's former No2 had joked “Never trust a Scotsman when it comes to picking players for England” after Ferguson hinted that Foster is seen as the long-term successor to Edwin van der Sar.

But after a serious chat with Ferguson, McClaren is prepared to give the youngster a test of his international credentials.

“I spoke to Alex about him, as I do all the time, and I also know about Ben through United's goalkeeping coach Tony Coton.

“Ben wasn't there when I was at United of course, but I have seen him develop and have seen him on the training ground at Carrington, and he is ready. I hope he takes his chance.

“He has some very good qualities, including great presence, and at international level being a goalkeeper means being able to make big saves.

“This season in the Premier League he has been making those big saves for Watford, and no he has to show he can do it for England as well. His distribution has also been good.”