Football
Mark Ogden, Senior Writer, ESPN FC 7y

Recovering Stoke City goalkeeper Jack Butland to link up with England - sources

Jack Butland has been invited to link up with the England squad at St George's Park next Monday, a week short of the first anniversary of the ankle injury that has put his career on hold, sources have told ESPN FC.

Stoke City goalkeeper Butland, who became England's youngest-ever keeper as a 19-year-old in 2012, has not played for club or country since damaging ankle ligaments during England's friendly against Germany in Berlin last March.

Prior to his injury, Butland had been tipped to challenge regular No. 1 Joe Hart for a starting position at Euro 2016.

The 24-year-old is fighting to play again this season after undergoing corrective surgery following the discovery of a previously undetected second hairline fracture in December.

But with surgeons having told Butland his ankle is now healed, England boss Gareth Southgate is keen to invite him to next week's get-together prior to the friendly against Germany in Dortmund on Wednesday.

Southgate is planning to hold a squad meeting at St George's Park to spell out his vision and requirements from his players.

Sources at the Football Association have told ESPN FC that Butland is regarded as a key figure in in Southgate's plans for the 2018 World Cup in Russia.

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