Stoke City goalkeeper Jack Butland says he's excited for the start of this year's Premier League campaign and is eager to prove himself at the club level in hopes of earning a spot in the England squad at next summer's European Championships in France.
In an interview on the England FA website, Butland talked about his disappointing experience at this year's Under-21 Euro, where the Young Lions flamed out in the group stages yet again, and about the prospect of being the first-choice keeper for Mark Hughes at Stoke in 2015-16.
The 22-year-old is on duty with Stoke on their Asian Tour, having just started his first preseason game in a win over the Singapore Select XI on Saturday.
"I've had a short break, but a good one," Butland said, alluding to the time he took off after the U21 Euro.
"Now I'm raring to go and can't wait for the season to begin and putting my claim down for the number one spot.
"I believe I'm capable of doing it and I'm looking forward to getting some game time."
With Asmir Begovic gone to Chelsea, Hughes has tabbed Butland as Stoke's first-choice to start the season. However, the young keeper knows he'll need to play at his peak with the likes of veteran Shay Given and young Danish net minder Jakob Haugaard joining the club this summer.
"I can only judge myself by performances. I want to get back in the England squad and to do that I need to play well. For me it's about taking each game as it comes.
"I want to be Stoke's number one and I want to be England's number one as well.
"That's something that can only happen if I am playing regularly in the Premier League and playing well and that's certainly a target in mind.
"It's really important not just in the goalkeeping department, but across the whole team [to be competitive]. That's what we've got and it bodes well for the season."