SCOTT Carson concedes that it was a ‘shock to the system’ when he was dropped from the West Bromwich Albion first team.

The goalkeeper is enjoying a new lease of life after coming back into the side under Roy Hodgson.

He suffered a dip in form under Roberto Di Matteo but is pleased to be back in favour.

And his improved form helped him back into the England squad after Ben Foster was forced to pull out with illness.

“I was disappointed when I wasn’t starting at Albion,” he said. “But these things happen and I just got my head down and got on with it.

“I never sulked but I probably wasn’t the happiest person on a Saturday when I knew I was going to be on the bench because I’ve been used to playing every Saturday for the last four or five years.

“It was a bit of a shock to the system.

“Bo (Myhill) did well when he played and I was surprised when I got back in but I had tried my hardest to get back in.

“The new gaffer gave me the shirt and I’ve been delighted with the way the last three games have gone. If I had been sulking and not putting the effort in, I could have got my chance against Stoke and it might not have gone the way it went.

“I could have been rusty and a bit unfit and I could have been straight back out of the side and sitting on the bench for the rest of the season.

“It was a bit of a surprise to be called up by England.

“If you’re in the squad you must be doing something right.

“It’s a big plus for me and it was nice to be involved again.”