Butland to be first-choice Stoke keeper
Jul 17, 2015 - 12:18 PM Stoke manager Mark Hughes says Jack Butland will be his first-choice goalkeeper for the upcoming English Premier League season.Hughes' call comes despite the club's recent signing of veteran Shay Given and Danish youngster Jakob Haugaard.
Butland, who has one England cap to his name, joined Stoke from Birmingham City in January 2013 but has played just six matches for the Potters since then with much of that time spent on loan at Birmingham, Barnsley, Leeds United and Derby County.
Although the starting goalkeeper's position is up for grabs following the sale of Asmir Begovic to Chelsea and the retirement of Thomas Sorensen, Hughes feels it is now time for the 22-year-old to establish himself as.
"I think the intention is to give Jack Butland a run in the side now," said the Stoke boss at the Barclays Asia Trophy in Singapore on Friday.
"He's a player we have every confidence in. He's bided his time, he's been patient.
"He's an outstanding young goalkeeper and I think that's acknowledged right across the board, so we all feel his time is now - he will have an opportunity to really stake a claim."
Even so, Hughes expects 39-year-old Given to offer him strong competition.
"Certainly with Shay joining, he has experience and knowledge of the Premier League over many years which Jack doesn't have at this moment in time.
"So his experience, not only training with him but imparting his knowledge to Jack, will be invaluable," he said.
"But Shay still sees himself as very much a number one keeper and so he will push Jack and that's exactly why I brought him to the club.
"If ...Jack's form dips, we have got the experience of Shay to fall back on."
Stoke face a Singapore Select XI in the third place play-off at the Barclays Asia Trophy on Saturday and while Haugaard impressed in the goalless draw with Everton on Wednesday, Hughes intends to split goalkeeping duties between Butland and Given.
Source: AAP
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