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Jack Butland has not missed a beat coming back from injury

By Matthew Nelson

STOKE ON TRENT, ENGLAND - AUGUST 19: Jack Butland of Stoke City punches the ball out during the Premier League match between Stoke City and Arsenal at Bet365 Stadium on August 19, 2017 in Stoke on Trent, England. (Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images)
STOKE ON TRENT, ENGLAND - AUGUST 19: Jack Butland of Stoke City punches the ball out during the Premier League match between Stoke City and Arsenal at Bet365 Stadium on August 19, 2017 in Stoke on Trent, England. (Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images) /
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Stoke City goalkeeper Jack Butland returns this season from a lengthy injury without missing a beat, showing his abilities against Arsenal on Saturday.

About 17 months ago, shot-stopper Jack Butland fractured his ankle playing a friendly with the English national team against Germany. At a pivotal moment in his international career, as he was just named to replace Joe Hart for the number one spot for the 2016 Euros, Butland seemed to miss his chance.

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After unexpected surgery and longer recovery times than anyone expected, Jack Butland has proven he was worth the wait, especially with his performance against Arsenal in the Potters’ surprising 1-0 victory on the weekend. Butland had six saves on the day, twice as many as Petr Cech and if it wasn’t for Jesé’s debut performance, many people would have given the Man of the Match award to the 24-year-old shot stopper. After a performance like that, it is hard to imagine Butland getting passed up for the number one stop for England.

It also looks like English national team’s manager Gareth Southgate is thinking along the same lines.

Clubcall.com has reported that Southgate will hand Jack Butland the number one spot again for the Three Lions’ upcoming World Cup qualifier against Malta, once again beating West Ham goalkeeper Joe Hart for the starting spot after he conceded seven goals in his first two matches. Let’s not be quick to blame him for the Hammers’ terrible start to the season, but he definitely hasn’t done anything to raise his stock whereas Butland has been using this start of this season to prove his talents.

We can watch Butland suit up for England on September 1st as they travel to the Ta’Qali National Stadium, right before coming home three days later to take on Slovakia.

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