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Carver "So Proud" Of Returning Forster
Written by Newcastle Utd
John Carver revealed he will be "so proud" of Fraser Forster as the goalkeeper returns to St. James' Park
By Anthony Marshall - Newcastle United Managing Editor
John Carver revealed he will be "so proud" of Fraser Forster on Saturday, as the giant goalkeeper makes his first return to St. James' Park.
In 2005, Hexham-born Forster joined the Magpies' Academy - which at the time was ran by Carver - and came up through the ranks on Tyneside.
Despite being a regular for the reserves and having a number of successful loan spells, Forster was unable to break into the first team and left United for Celtic in the summer of 2012.
North of the border, he became a fans' favourite at Parkhead with impressive displays for the Scottish giants - notably in Champions League encounters with Barcelona.
A switch to Southampton followed last summer, and ten clean sheets later, Forster returns to Newcastle looking to keep his new side flying high in the Barclays Premier League.
Carver, who is in caretaker charge of United while they search for a new head coach, is not bitter about the 'one who got away' and instead delighted that Forster has forged a career at the highest level.
"When I became the Academy director, our youth team were playing in the FA Youth Cup but we only had one goalkeeper," he explained.
"I told my scout to go and find me a goalkeeper. They guy came back with the name of Fraser Forster, from Royal Grammar School.
"I said 'but that's a rugby school', and he replied 'he's 6ft 7ins and a big lad'. So we got him in and signed him.
"His mum and dad came in and were more worried about his education than goalkeeping, but we managed to sign him.
"He's coming back to St. James' Park on Saturday and I will be so proud to see him here."
Tickets for Saturday's Barclays Premier League fixture against Southampton are still available. To secure your seat at St. James' Park, click here.