Manchester United rule out Ben Foster going on loan

The 26-year-old started the season as the club's number one but is now behind Edwin van der Sar and Tomasz Kuszczak. "There is absolutely no chance of loaning Ben out," said Ferguson.

"Let's hope he gets some football that gives him a chance. It's Fabio Capello's choice. Ben's qualities will put him forward as a definite choice." But with United out of the FA Cup, the Carling Cup semi-finals against Manchester City could be the only games Foster plays during the rest of the season.

Capello had been expected to take three keepers to South Africa, with David James, Robert Green and Foster the Italian's preferred stoppers, but Joe Hart's form for Birmingham could upset that status quo. The World Cup is four months ahead," added Ferguson. "England are not endowed with great goalkeepers."

After playing his second consecutive game for England in Qatar in the 1-0 defeat by Brazil, Foster expressed frustration with his predicament, pointing out that while he was playing regularly for his country he had dropped out of the reckoning at Old Trafford.

"I'm third choice for United yet I'm playing for my country," said Foster.