A busy day at Colney as Forster signs on whilst Lambert says a firm no to Scotland

Fri 20 Nov 09

City boss Paul Lambert couldn't hide his delight today as he secured the services of Fraser Forster until the end of the season.

The Newcastle goalkeeper has been in fine form since becoming the Scot's first signing back at the end of August.

But with Forster's loan due to end in January, and a recent knee injury to Declan Rudd in training, there has been a degree of panic in Norfolk this week.

But there was good news on both fronts coming out of Colney this morning. The Canary No1 spot looks secure for the time being.

"I think Fraser has been phenomenal for us," he said today. "He's got eight clean sheets in 12 games, and a great understanding with the back four.

"I spoke to Chris [Hughton, Newcastle manager] yesterday and he was great. We came up with a solution that suited all parties - he was very helpful.

"You need a presence in that position and some of the saves I've seen him make in training, you think 'how has he got there?' Declan is only a young one and we have to have someone who has played a considerable amount of games to see it through.

"But Fraser is only 21 as well and goalkeepers can play for a lengthy time in their career. He's done great."

The next question was, of course, whether Lambert held any hopes of keeping him for even longer. But sadly, it looks like this will be his one and only season at Carrow Road – we better enjoy it while it lasts.

"We have no chance of keeping him, what with the hopes they have for him," he said categorically. The future continues to look bright in the goalkeeping department though and there was some positive news regarding England Under-19 international Rudd.

"We thought it might have been longer term with his knee injury. But with a bit of luck he'll be back in a few weeks time."

For once, the overall injury bulletin didn't make for depressing hearing, with no new complaints, and that must give the City chief a boost going into tomorrow's crucial clash at Southampton.   Part 2 >>