Jack Butland insists he has got enough time to make himself England’s No1 for the World Cup.

Stoke keeper Butland is refreshingly honest about his ambition and determination to battle Joe Hart to become first choice by next summer.

He is equally open about his desire to play in the Champions League but believes playing for Stoke should not be an obstacle when it comes to playing for England.

“I’ve always said and I’ve never hid the fact that I want to play at the top, be England’s No1 and win trophies,” said Butland. “While I’m at Stoke, I’ll always try to do that.

Jack Butland has his sights set on the England No.1 jersey
Butland swapped the football pitch for the basketball court for the launch of NBA 2K18

“But me and the fans, they know I have targets and ambitions, and they’d be happy for me if that (playing in the Champions League) happened. It’s good that I’ve got that sort of relationship with them and the club.

“It’s testing yourself, not just against the best in this country but the best the rest of the world has to offer and the best in Europe. You don’t get to play against them very often, playing against teams that you are not aware of.

Jack Butland wants to be England's No.1 (
Image:
Action Images via Reuters)
Gareth Southgate will have a decision to make over who his No.1 is for Russia 2018 (
Image:
The FA via Getty)

“It can only enhance you as a player, your IQ and understanding of the game against teams who play different ways, different styles and in the Champions League to get you ready for World Cups, there’s only things you can gain from that.

“I think performances stand for themselves and I believe I can get the No1 spot playing at Stoke. I believe that. If I didn’t, I would be silly but I believe it comes down to performances.

“If I keep knocking on the door, you shouldn’t discriminate against a club. I’m at Stoke, I’m enjoying it, it’s not my fault and I shouldn’t be discriminated against just because who I play for.

“It’s about doing the best job we can to make us successful. I don’t sit there and worry about it and I don’t think my chances are damaged because I play for Stoke.

“I believe there is still time for me to get that No1 slot. Nhere are two more qualifiers and we have two more friendlies in November, friendlies in March and then friendlies before the tournament.

“So that is eight games or so in which to show what I can do. I’ve been in situations like this since I was 19.”

Butland leaps through the air to punch the ball clear (
Image:
Getty)
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Butland’s eye catching performances this season together with his England rival Hart struggling at West Ham made many believe that Gareth Southgate would put him in for the last round of qualifiers. But Southgate stayed loyal to Hart.

“Obviously I was disappointed. I thought we have all been doing pretty well, everyone is after an opportunity. But I kept my head down, we had Man United the following weekend, played them and I thought we did well.

“It’s the manager’s decision and I can only do so much but I will respect that, support Joe or whoever it is and I will keep going until I get there.

“I’ve always learnt from Joe, no matter whether he has been going through tough times or playing really well. We get on really well, we both have the same steely determination, nothing fazes him. He doesn’t care what people say about him.”

Butland grew up playing both football and rugby, he loves basketball and enjoyed taking part in a video shoot on a basketball court and watches his younger brother Harry play rugby whenever he can.

He enjoys the physical and rough stuff in a penalty box and admits the Sadio Mane red card caused much debate in the Stoke dressing room.

Butland has forced his way into contention for the No.1 jersey (
Image:
AFP)

But Stoke have also got back to being like their old selves this season as they have enjoyed giving Arsenal and Manchester United a bloody nose and Butland insists that the early season predictions of doom and gloom never affected the players.

He added: “I think there’s always that frustration with us - we either don’t do a lot or do it at the very end. The fans want to see us do better but I think all they also want to see is us working hard and giving everything.

“It never crossed my mind at all that we were (relegation candidates) and I think we’ve got too much quality, too many big characters to let that happen.

“We’ve brought in big characters who can score goals, we can even break down top sides. We feel good about the formation and personnel that we’ve got.”

  • Stoke City’s Jack Butland swaps saves for slam-dunks for the launch of NBA 2K18, out now on PlayStation 4, PlayStation 3, Xbox One, Xbox 360, Windows PC and Nintendo Switch
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