Butland nears injury return as Stoke prepare for keeper battle

Lee Grant has been a revelation at Stoke City this season, but regular number one Jack Butland will be back challenging for the gloves before the end of the campaign.

Butland has not played since injuring his ankle in England’s friendly against Germany last March, with two operations keeping him on the sidelines.

Boss Mark Hughes initially put his faith in former Newcastle United shot-stopper Shay Given, but Grant impressed when he joined on loan in August.

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The 34-year-old fitted in so seamlessly that his move was made permanent in January, but the assumption is that Butland will regain the gloves as soon as he is fit.

“He’s feeling absolutely great now because he can see clear light at the end of the tunnel,” said Butland’s agent Gary Mellor.

“He was in the office last week before going to Qatar and was in fantastic spirits.

“By the time he gets back to playing it will have been 12 months, which should have been three months, so there’s been some really down periods for him. But he’s in a great place now and ready to go.

“He hopes to be back on the grass playing competitive games for the under-23s before the end of March, hopefully mid to late March.

“Then hopefully he will be challenging Lee Grant for the last six or seven games of the season.”