Gareth Southgate may hand remarkable recall to England star he dumped in 2018
Gareth Southgate has admitted he is facing a keeper crisis ahead of this summer’s Euros.
And that has left Southgate looking at a remarkable recall for Rangers keeper Jack Butland who was dumped SIX YEARS ago. Butland, 30, who earned the last of his nine England caps in the 1-0 friendly win over Switzerland in September 2018, could even get a chance in next month’s friendlies with Belgium and Brazil.
England No.1 Jordan Pickford is currently the only keeper who is playing regularly ahead of Euro 2024 and that is clearly a major concern for Southgate.
Arsenal keeper Aaron Ramsdale has lost his place at the Emirates to David Raya and is now sweating on his place in the England squad. Sam Johnstone is also struggling for game time at Crystal Palace and he has been England’s regular back-up to Pickford. Newcastle keeper Nick Pope has also been out long term with injury and had slipped down the pecking order because of Southgate’s concerns over his kicking and distribution.
That means England could look back to Butland who has been earning rave reviews for his displays since moving to Scotland.
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Former Stoke keeper Butland has kept 19 clean sheets in all competitions as Rangers push to regain the Scottish crown. Butland moved to Rangers on a free transfer from Palace where he made just 10 Prem appearances in three years and spent the second half of last term on loan at Manchester United.
Butland was actually neck-and-neck with Pickford at England level before Southgate opted to make Pickford his No.1 for the 2018 World Cup and the Rangers keeper has suffered through bad luck and injuries ever since.
Jack Butland is having a very impressive season at Rangers (Robbie Jay Barratt - AMA/Getty Images)While Pickford is well established with England, Southgate would want cover and also competition in case of any injuries going into the tournament.
Southgate said: “It is an issue for us and the situation is up in the air. I can’t deny that so again we have to make sure we’re watching everybody.
“Jack Butland is included in that because he’s obviously playing at a big club and is an experienced goalkeeper.
“It’s not an ideal situation with Aaron not playing, Sam at the moment not playing and Nick injured. We’ll have to see how that plays out."
Butland’s return would be an incredible comeback and revival in the keeper’s fortunes and may also give renewed hope to Luton’s Ross Barkley that he could come back from the international wilderness following the ex-Everton and Chelsea man's return to form.
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