Butland: I'm ready to challenge 'immovable' Hart

Jack Butland says he is ready to challenge Joe Hart for England’s No.1 shirt, but concedes the Manchester City goalkeeper is “almost an immovable object”.

The Stoke City goalkeeper made his international debut in a 2-1 friendly win over Italy in 2012, and had to wait three years for his second appearance, which came in this week’s Euro 2016 qualifier against Lithuania.

Hart has established himself as Roy Hodgson’s first-choice stopper since the former Fulham boss was appointed manager four years ago, but Butland is determined to add to his brace of caps.

“I am not someone who enjoys being on the bench. I won’t kick up a fuss and I will always be a team man, but ultimately I want to play,” he is quoted as saying by the Daily Mirror.

“Joe is a fantastic keeper, rightly he is the No 1, established in the Premier League, over 50 England caps.

“But I want to play and there’s nothing wrong with competition. Joe drives me on. We’re always encouraging each other and I know I improve when I come away with England.

“It’s been three years since my first cap in 2012 and I hope it’s not another three years before my next one.

“You never know what may happen with injuries and suspensions. I want to be ready. I am in a good place mentally with Stoke, with England. If I am put in, I feel comfortable and in control.

“I’d love to get a couple more games in the friendlies and will do everything I can to get those.

Since his England debut, Butland has moved to Stoke City from Birmingham, and he feels that the experience of playing in the Premier League will help him earn a spot in Hodgson’s squad for next summer’s competition in France. 

“The last time I played for England I was at Birmingham and I’d been at loan on Cheltenham, then got drafted into the Euros squad as potential. I hadn’t proven myself but I feel I’ve had a whole career since then,” he added.

“Now I’ve played a hell of a lot of games, improved and matured a lot. I am enjoying the opportunity to play in the Premier League. I feel positive, strong, fit and sharp.

“There’s a couple of great goalkeepers injured in Fraser Forster and Ben Foster but I am confident that if I can keep playing well for Stoke then I will be on that plane to France.”