GOALKEEPER Ethan Ross says he hopes to one day emulate his West Bromwich Albion team-mate Ben Foster’s journey from Aggborough to England honours.

The 18-year-old joined Worcester City on loan in October and said he was enjoying balancing life training with the Premier League side and playing for the National League North outfit.

Ross said his move to City had also been backed by his “idol” Foster, who had only a brief spell at Kidderminster Harriers in 2004 before signing for Manchester United seven months later and going on to win eight England caps.

“I am sure he will be the first to say that, when he made his first loan, it did not go so well but he said it was a natural progression and a step in the right direction,” Ross said.

“As I am so young, it is important to be getting real games. Boaz Myhill is always asking how I am getting on, so they definitely see it as a good thing.

“It is nice to train with Foster, Myhill and (Anders) Lindegaard. They have all got very different styles, so it is important I try and take a little bit from each of them.

“Foster has been out for a while but he is back in the mix and will hopefully be playing again in January.

“He is excellent to have around as he passes on a lot of information.

“He has experienced a World Cup, won international caps and played so many games in the Premier League as well. He is definitely someone I idolise.”

Ross, from Cambridge, has secured clean sheets in City’s last two matches and says he is aiming to keep pushing the experienced Nathan Vaughan for the number one shirt.

“This is my first loan, so I would like to think I can keep pushing for a starting place,” he said. “This type of experience is exactly what you want as a young lad and it is something I think my manager Tony Pulis was pushing for.

“He wants to get all the young lads out on loan, so it is nice to be able to do it now and to do it for a team like Worcester, who are a big club in this division.

“Nathan has proven himself at this level many times, so everyone knows what he is about. It was always going to be difficult but that’s why I am here.”

Ross is expected to be in goal for tonight’s FA Trophy first-round replay with Southport at Aggborough (7.45pm) and he believes the home support could be the difference.

“We have got great fans here, who make a lot of noise,” he said. “If they turn out tonight, we can cause a bit of an upset.”