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Ben Foster EXCLUSIVE: Watford goalkeeper discusses new two-year contract, defends Troy Deeney over initial refusal to return to training
Ben Foster has told talkSPORT he believes he can play on into his 40s after signing a new two-year contract with Watford.
Foster, 37, made his Hornets debut during an initial loan period in 2005 and has since gone on to make over 150 appearances across two spells for the Premier League outfit.
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The former England goalkeeper joined White and Sawyer on Wednesday to express his delight over his recent contract, which will keep him at the club until at least the age of 39.
"It's nice, it's really nice," he told talkSPORT. "As a player, a 37-year-old especially, I know I've got to back myself, I know I feel good.
"I could probably go on and do another bit after this.
"Obviously, it's nice to have the backing of the club to place their trust in me to give me a two-year deal."
Foster and his Watford teammates return to action against high-flying Leicester on June 20 when the season resumes from its coronavirus suspension.
Discussing how he’s dealt with the extended break from football, Foster added: “I won’t lie, I did enjoy the lockdown; having a good time, spending time with the family that I normally wouldn’t get, I got to spend my birthday at home, took the bike out as much as I could to keep my fitness up, playing in the garden with kids, it was great.
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"But you do also have that hunger to want to get going again and I think every footballer would agree.
"After a normal season you get six or seven weeks off and by the time that's finished, you're hankering to get back.
"It's been a bit weird, the season hasn't finished yet, but I think everyone's in the same boat, and we want to get back to it."
Foster also leapt to the defence of Watford skipper Troy Deeney, who initially refused to return to training over concerns about his family's safety - his son has breathing issues.
The striker has since returned London Colney and he's expected to take to the pitch when Watford's season resumes - with full commentary of their match against Leicester LIVE on talkSPORT!
"I think every one of us fully backed Troy and every other footballer doing the same thing," Foster added.
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"It's totally understandable with Troy; we knew his situation, his children have breathing difficulties and I think if I was in the same boat, I'd have done the same thing.
"It's nice to have him back in the building; he's the captain, he's the leader, he brings so much energy and the will to win and we're all feeding off it massively.
"We had a behind closed doors friendly yesterday made up of two Watford XIs, 35 minutes each way.
"Troy played in that and he brings so much to the squad, from a football side, it's just nice to have him back in the building."
talkSPORT is your home for live football when the Premier League resumes on 17 June with an unprecedented line-up of fixtures, including four back-to-back matches on Saturdays
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