By Rik Sharma
After John Ruddy’s withdrawal from the England Euro 2012 squad after breaking a finger, teenage stopper Jack Butland takes his place.
The 19-year-old Birmingham player has spent the season on loan at League Two Cheltenham.
After a superb season he has been linked with QPR, who are considering making a £6million bid, as well as Barclays Premier League giants Manchester United.
Butland helped Cheltenham reach the League Two play-off final but was recalled by the Midlands club before he got the chance to play at Wembley.
‘It’s been the most important part of my career so far,’ Butland told the Birmingham Mail about his loan spell.
‘I’ve played for England under-21s, in the under-20 World Cup and I’ve been part of the play-offs in the Championship.
‘But in terms of helping my career and getting me ready, going to Cheltenham Town was a massive experience.’
Butland was hoping to feature for Great Britain at the 2012 Olympic Games but now he will travel to Poland and Ukraine that might not be a possibility.
He came through the Birmingham City Academy and was voted their Young Player of the Season in 2010.
Butland began with England at U16 level in 2008. He has also played for the U17 and U19s, winning the UEFA European U17 Championship in May 2008.
He travelled to Colombia for the FIFA U20 World Cup in 2011, and has also appeared six times for the U21s.
JACK BUTLAND FACTFILE
1993: Born in Bristol, March 10.
2007: Joins Birmingham as a schoolboy.
2008: Makes debut for England Under-16s in their 6-0 win over Northern Ireland in the Victory Shield.
2009: Moves into Blues’ academy and, aged 16, makes his reserve-team debut.
Plays for England Under-17s.
2010: Signs his first professional contract of two-and-a-half years and is named the club’s young player of the 2009/10 season.
May – Part of the England Under-17 squad that wins the European Championships
October – Has surgery on a broken hand.
2011: April – Part of the England Under-19 squad for the UEFA under-19 championships.
May – Handed a first-team squad number.
July – Plays for England team that reaches last 16 at FIFA Under-20 World Cup in Colombia.
September 1 – Makes debut for Under-21s against Azerbaijan.
Joins League Two side Cheltenham on a month’s loan and makes his debut against Macclesfield on September 10.
His loan is extended upon his return from Under-21 duty against Norway and Iceland until January 2012.
2012: February – Rejoins Cheltenham on a youth loan but he is recalled to St Andrew’s after Boaz Myhill is injured. He finishes the campaign with 24 appearances for the Robins.
May 25: Called up to England’s Euro 2012 squad after John Ruddy has to withdraw through injury.
