Forster deflects credit as clean sheet run continues

Fraser Forster: Has starred for Saints since return

Fraser Forster: Has starred for Saints since return

Fraser Forster has still not conceded a goal since returning to the Southampton side – but refuses to take the credit for his remarkable run.

Forster, fit again after 10 months out with a serious knee injury, kept his fifth clean sheet in a row as Saints beat West Ham 1-0 at St Mary’s.

But the 27-year-old, who will surely be back in the frame for an England call-up next month, insists his team-mates deserve the plaudits.

“They’ve made it easy since I came back in the team, to be honest,” Forster told the club website.

“They’ve really limited the opposition’s chances and they’ve been so strong. When we get on the ball, we’ve got players who are so comfortable on it and who’ll move it.

“I think we’ve looked really comfortable in the last few games and we’ve obviously picked up a lot of points, which is brilliant.

“It’s obviously nice that it’s coincided with my return to the team, but if you look at the 10 players in front of me, they’ve been absolutely awesome.”

Ten players became nine on Saturday as Saints, leading through Maya Yoshida’s early goal, lost Victor Wanyama to a 53rd-minute red card for a reckless tackle on Dimitri Payet.

“It was obviously very tough,” added Forster. “It’s always hard, going down to 10 men, so you’re fighting for the half-hour that remains. We were delighted to hold on and get the three points.

“It was another tough game after Arsenal in midweek, but we’re delighted with the three points because it keeps the momentum going.”