JACK BACK FROM HELL

JACK BUTLAND feared his career could have been finished by his ankle injury.

The 24-year-old Stoke keeper revealed repeated setbacks sent him to some dark places as he wondered if he’d ever get back.

Butland spoke about his injury horror as he celebrated his recall to the England squad.

It was playing for England in Germany in March 2016 that he fractured his ankle and ended up being out for more than a year.

Butland needed surgery after the freak accident but broke down again on the eve of the season.

He then required further surgery to repair scar tissue just before Christmas and didn’t return to the Stoke side until the final five games of the campaign.

He said: “Being out for so long makes you stronger but sometimes you reach your lowest point.

Injection

“There are times when you don’t know if you are going to play again, when the next injection or operation might be.

“So there are times when you are at rock bottom but that’s when you need the people around you to give you that bit of reassurance and positivity.

“I feel like I’ve pretty much experienced everything I can in football. Positive things, winning, losing, the injury side of it all, the setbacks.

“I’m sure there’s plenty more to experience but I’m prepared for whatever is next.”

Butland is just enjoying being back after the heartache of so long on the sidelines.

He said: “It feels extremely good to be back. It’s been a long time and to get the Three Lions back on my chest after some difficult times is really good.

“I’m just thoroughly enjoying being back and looking forward to the week ahead.

“The worst thing about being injured is just missing out on what you love. It can be a lonely place when you are injured.

“You miss being out there with your team-mates and just experiencing the highs and lows.

“It was the drive and belief of wanting to get back to where I was that kept me going.

“I wanted to make up for all the lost time – missing out on the Euros and missing so many Premier League games. It’s not nice not being able to do something you love.”