Manchester United goalkeeper Ben Foster has been tipped to make the most of his long-awaited debut on Saturday - three seasons after moving to Old Trafford.

Foster, 24, spent two of them on loan at Watford before having a knee operation in the summer.

With only one reserve game behind him, he has been drafted in to face Derby at Pride Park as Edwin van der Sar has a groin problem and Tomasz Kuszczak is suspended.

Defender Nemanja Vidic has been impressed with Foster in training.

"Ben is a great player and a great man," said the Serbia international. "I think in the future he will be England's top goalkeeper.

"Ben has been training with us the last two weeks and done well.

"He looks as though he has never been injured. He is confident, which is important for a goalkeeper.

"I hope he has a good game at Derby and that we get the victory we want."

Manager Sir Alex Ferguson has firm belief in Foster, who has one England cap to his name, to do a job after planning to send him out on loan before two of his goalkeepers were sidelined.

He said: "Ben has been out for a year and this is a big challenge for the boy.

"Certain things, though, about him encourage me. He has fantastic presence and speed and agility. I have no fears about him being okay."

United could take overtake Arsenal at the top of the table for a few hours at least.

However, Ferguson took time out on the eve of the game to send words of encouragement to his managerial counterpart.

He believes Paul Jewell will turn Derby around next season - in the Coca-Cola Championship.

The former Wigan boss has yet to oversee a league win since taking charge last November and they are marooned at the foot of the league.

Not only that but they face United on the back of a 6-1 defeat by Chelsea in midweek.

Ferguson said: "Paul took over a job knowing it was almost impossible to turn things around.

"Going to a club halfway through the season is not easy and especially in Derby's position at the foot of the table.

"They are not within touching distance of the other clubs and quite a few points adrift.

"Paul will be looking at next season and I think they will do well."

Ferguson has been impressed with the way the players have responded to the FA Cup defeat against Portsmouth last weekend.

However, he is refusing to take anything for granted against a Derby side that have failed to win in their last 23 league games.

Ferguson said: "You have to react when you lose a match. It is part of football.

"It is important to do something about it. We have 10 league games left and need to motor on.

"We have to make sure we put in a good performance and get the result we need.

"Points will be dropped between now and the end of the season by all clubs but if we go on a consistent run we will have a better chance of success."

Meanwhile, Ferguson is delighted defender Gary Neville came through another reserve game in midweek unscathed after a year-long absence with an ankle problem.

"Gary showed good energy and speed," said the United boss. "He came through the game well.

"The great thing is he played for 75 minutes with no problems and that is important.

"I think he will be involved in the first team quite soon."

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