Scott Carson has been the butt of jokes since joining West Brom but has taken the banter in his stride and is tipped to bounce back from his Wembley nightmare.

The 22-year-old goalkeeper was famously thrown in at the deep end by England boss Steve McClaren against Croatia and his blunder contributed to the failure to qualify for Euro 2008, and he has not played for his country since.

Having spent the previous seasons on loan to Charlton and Aston Villa, this summer Carson moved to The Hawthorns - but his new team-mates did not spare him from the jokes.

"It's not a no-go area talking about Wembley - the boys have smashed him about it already," said midfielder Jonathan Greening.  "He takes it in good humour and in his stride because he's a top guy. He takes the banter well and we've got a really good team-spirit at the club. I'm not naming names....but Paul Robinson smashed him to bits.

"It's probably the best way to get over it. He's only 22 and has time ahead of him on the international team."

Greening believes Carson has the qualities and character to prove himself at international level.

"It was such an important game against Croatia," he added.  "I'm not saying Steve McClaren made a mistake but if he went with experience and didn't chuck him into the deep end, it might have been a wiser choice.

"He was given his chance and didn't take it on the night but the next time hopefully he will and prove to be a great keeper for England.

"I think he's got a bright future at our club and for England as well."

Carson could not have asked for a more difficult start - Arsenal away on the first day of the Barclays Premier League season.

As a promoted team, West Brom have been given only a slim hope of survival, but Greening believes their style of football will suit the top flight.  He said: "Arsenal can spank anyone on their day if they are playing well. We just have to go there and play the way we want to play and give a good account of ourselves. It'll be difficult because they have world-class players.

"All the tough away games at places like Barnsley or Preston, to come and play against Arsenal and Manchester United away. We have to enjoy ourselves and work hard and show everybody we are a good team.

"I've never been to the Emirates and I'm really looking forward to it. In the last two years in the Championship I've been watching the games on Sky and getting jealous - at the flowing football.

"Everybody expects the three teams who got promoted to get relegated straight away but we're quietly confident in ourselves that we can do well and hopefully not be in the bottom three.

"We played some good stuff last season, some said we wouldn't get out of the Championship the way we played but we did."

As a former Manchester United player, Greening feels his old club will pip Arsenal and their other rivals to the championship again.

"United maybe have that little bit extra - Ronaldo, Tevez and still the experience at the heart of the team like Rio Ferdinand, and Gary Neville is back as well which will be a boost to them," he said.

"So I think the experience, youth and the attacking talent of United will just push them again this year.

"I'd like Arsenal to do really well, it would be nice to see a last-day game when whoever wins takes the title - and us being nowhere near relegation!"