No ifs or buts, Jack’s staying

STOKE have said goalkeeper Jack Butland will not be leaving this month.

Liverpool were considering a £40million bid but have been told to forget it.

New Stoke manager Paul Lambert says the 24-year-old will not be snatched away with the club scrapping to avoid relegation.

“There is absolutely no way he is going in January. Absolutely no chance,” said Lambert. “As long as I’m here I’ll do everything I can to keep him.”

Lambert takes charge for the first time at home to Huddersfield today, with Terriers defender Christopher Schindler saying he will not allow their relegation battle to keep him awake at night.

Schindler captained 1860 Munich as they narrowly avoided dropping into the third tier of German football for the first time in their history three years ago. He was handed the captaincy after it was taken away from team-mate Julian Weigl for publicly criticising his teammates during a late-night drinking session.

Schindler had to guide them through a turbulent season that saw them go through three managers.

That explains why he is staying calm – even though Huddersfield have to face Chelsea, Manchester City and Arsenal in the final month of the season.

He said: “We did not stay strong at 1860. I was not able to stay strong personally. I reached the point where the pressure got too much. I could not sleep well, I allowed it to make a difference to my private life.

“It was a tough time but I can also use that experience, maybe tell a few lads about it and show them that things could be worse.” BUTLAND