Last updated 11:49, Wednesday, 08 October 2008

ONLY Scott Carson knows the strength of character he has had to muster to block out the full horror of his England debut when he gifted Croatia their opening goal in the Euro 2008 defeat.

Scott Carson

It was the sort of mistake which could have ended his international goalkeeping career forever.

A weaker character might never have recovered but the Cumbrian refused to allow his howler to destroy his confidence or his ambition to return to the England squad.

Instead he put it behind him by working hard on the training pitch and playing his heart out in games.

The 23-year-old from Cleator Moor has been in outstanding form for West Brom since his £3.25million move to The Hawthorns in the summer.

Carson is proving to the world that he has put his England nightmare behind him and is establishing himself as one of the best young keepers in the Premiership.

England boss Fabio Capello has twice sent his goalkeeping coach Ray Clemence to watch him and Carson proved he can handle being under intense scrutiny by turning on the style.

Back-to-back clean sheets in his last two games was the perfect message to send out to Capello ahead of World Cup qualifiers against Kazakhstan and Belarus.

Carson thoroughly deserves his place in the 23-man squad and his selection is a tribute to his determination, hard work and ability.

The main reason why I find it so satisfying to witness his rejuvenation is because of the way he has handled himself since his disastrous debut.

He’s refreshingly devoid of ego in a profession dominated by prima donnas and is honest, decent, well-mannered, and with a head which is actually able to fit through a doorway.

Carson has always been prepared to talk about the worst moment of his career with searing honesty and humility – and those are precisely the qualities you need to be able to learn from your mistakes.