Skip to content

Jack Butland eager to regain Stoke No 1 jersey from Lee Grant

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

Stoke and England goalkeeper Jack Butland is confident he'll return to action before the end of the season, 12 months after suffering a serious ankle injury

Jack Butland says he is ready for the challenge of attempting to regain Stoke's No 1 jersey from Lee Grant.

Butland has spent the past 12 months on the sidelines after suffering a serious ankle injury while on international duty with England last March.

Grant, who joined the Potters on loan from Derby in August, has excelled in Butland's absence and completed a permanent switch to the Bet365 Stadium in January.

Butland is hoping to resume full training next week and is already targeting a return to manager Mark Hughes' starting line-up.

Butland lies on the pitch as he gets injured
Image: The goalkeeper suffered the injury in England's 3-2 friendly victory over Germany and missed Euro 2016

"He [Grant] knows I want the shirt, I know he wants to keep it and that's the way it is," the 24-year-old told Sky Sports News HQ.

"He's done fantastically for someone who at the start of the season was on the bench at Derby and wondering what he was going to do next.

"He's succeeded in everything he's been asked to do. I am thrilled for him. We've known each other for a while and we push each other."

Also See:

Mark Hughes (R) will not rush Jack Butland (L) back into action
Image: Butland is targeting a return to Mark Hughes' starting line-up

Butland added: "I'll have a good week of training while the boys are away on international duty and hopefully that'll get me up to speed and then I can join up fully with the rest of the squad next week.

"Then it's just a case of getting that match fitness and that match sharpness back."

Get Sky Sports for £18
Get Sky Sports for £18

Upgrade to Sky Sports now and get 12 months for just £18 per month!

However, Grant, who has kept nine clean sheets in 26 matches this season, insists he will be doing his utmost to ensure Butland is not given an easy ride back into the first team.

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

Stoke goalkeeper Lee Grant says it's been a dream for him to be promoted to the first team in Jack Butland's absence

"I am really relishing [the battle with Butland]," the 34-year-old said.

"First and foremost, I am happy for Jack to regain his fitness. It's been a long time coming and you don't want to see a fellow professional frustrated the way he has been over the past 12 months.

"For me personally, it's about making it difficult for Jack to regain what was his shirt and continue the level of consistency of performance that I have had over the season so far."

Sky customers can now upgrade to Sky Sports and get 12 months for just £18 per month. Upgrade now!

Around Sky