From Russia with glove for Butland
JACK BUTLAND says the battle to be first-choice keeper in Russia can only benefit England.
Butland will get his audition against Italy tomorrow night after his rival Jordan Pickford got the nod in Holland on Friday.
Whatever Gareth Southgate says publicly, the battle to be England keeper has come to a straight fight between Butland and Pickford, with Joe Hart set to go to the World Cup only as third-choice.
Everton’s Pickford has emerged as favourite but Butland insists that he is ready to fight for the shirt and claims it will not bother him if Southgate keeps them guessing.
Butland said: “Not knowing yet who the No.1 choice is shows the competition is great. Whoever gets the shirt is going to be coming off a battle which has pushed him to his best.
“The manager will make his decision when he’s ready. Until that time we’ll all be battling to show who is best and that can only be a good thing for England.
“It’s a good environment to work and train in and we’re all pushing each other.”
Southgate has held up Pickford’s distribution as his main strength but Butland insists that he can also play out from the back.
The Stoke stopper claims that his club’s disappointing season, and some high-profile gaffes during the fight for survival, has been a good thing because it has made him stronger.
“I feel my distribution is really good – Jordan plays in a team where perhaps he is allowed to express that a little bit more,” said Butland.
“But I certainly feel I’m more capable of doing it. I like to feel I’m mature, consistent as a keeper, and I pride myself on my shot-stopping and the presence I have.
“This season has made me stronger. It’s been tough. It has asked questions of me that maybe haven’t been asked in the past.
“I’ve never been in this situation before but I’m fully up to the challenge and looking forward to keeping us up.”
Butland made his first appearance for England against Italy in 2012 and seemed destined to challenge Hart for top-dog status, only for injury to hold him back.
The Stoke keeper suffered a career-threatening ankle injury which kept him out of Euro 2016 but he believes that experience has made him mentally stronger.
Butland added: “Yeah, of course, six years ago, youngest keeper to play for England and all that, first cap, an incredible moment, so the injury was a massive setback for me.
“I’ve had to deal with fears of not playing again but I will be better for it in the future.
“I would like to have played more but injuries are part and parcel of football and you’ve got to shoulder it and get on with it.”