Gardner hails 'brilliant' Foster

Published Feb. 4, 2011 7:15 p.m. ET

foxsports

Foster will return to the scene of his Carling Cup semi-final blunder for Sunday's Premier League clash with West Ham at Upton Park. But it was a rare mistake by the former Manchester United keeper since his summer move from Old Trafford to St Andrew's. Foster has been in outstanding form and midfielder Gardner feels he is worth more than three times what Blues paid for his services. Gardner said: "Ben is different class. He is one of the best signings about by far. "He has been brilliant from day one for Birmingham and is a really nice lad. "He is a great professional, different class, and he should be England's number one. "We paid £6million for him but he would have been a bargain at £20million. "He is a top-class keeper and a top-class lad." Gardner knows the importance of Birmingham following up their cup win over the Hammers with another victory on Sunday. He said: "Every game is massive. It's not just us. West Ham are down there as well. "We need to get points on the board. We need to go there and upset their party again."