Injured Stoke stopper Butland has more surgery

Stoke’s Jack Butland has confirmed he has had more surgery on the ankle injury that has kept him out of action since March.

The 23-year-old international suffered the injury on England duty in a friendly against Germany, and after having the first round of surgery within a month, had another setback over the summer ahead of the current campaign.

And in a bid to sort out the issue once and for all, Butland has just spent another week with a specialist and had a second spell under the knife.

But Butland – who has had to watch deputy Lee Grant impress in goal for Mark Hughes’ side in his absence – is confident his medical team have now discovered the root of the problem.

“Happy to be home after spending a week away seeing another specialist, but grateful we were able to get to the bottom of my setbacks,” he said on his Instagram.

“Although wanting to avoid surgery it was necessary to do so to get me back playing the game I love.

“It’s been a tough and frustrating year but I can’t thank everyone enough for their constant support.

“Wishing all of you and your families an amazing Christmas and a healthy 2017. I’m as positive as ever and I can’t wait to be back.”