Stoke City news: Jack Butland thanks medical staff as England goalkeeper returns from ankle injury

The 23-year-old returned to action for 45 minutes during the friendly against Burton Albion

Jack Butland's chances of playing at Euro 2016 were ended in March

(Getty)

Jack Butland, the Stoke City and England goalkeeper, has thanked his club’s medical team after returning from injury during the club's pre-season defeat by Burton Albion.

The 23-year-old missed out on the European Championship after fracturing his ankle during England’s 3-2 warm-up victory against world champions Germany in March.

Butland, who started his career at Birmingham City, is now back in full-training and kept a clean sheet during a first-half cameo at Burton. The Potters were eventually defeated 3-0 by the Championship outfit as Glen Johnson also returned.

Backed by Gordon Banks, speaking to The Independent this month, as “better than anyone of his age”, Butland is expected to challenge Joe Hart for the England No. 1 shirt this season.

“I'm really pleased to be back and get some minutes under my belt,” he told Stoke’s official website. “From a mental point of view as well, the last time I was on pitch I broke my ankle, so to get through that and feel what it's like to be back on the pitch is really good.

“I felt good, I felt strong and my ankle feels really good as well which is really positive. Initially after the operation I wasn't doing a lot.

“I concentrated on getting the swelling down and getting the movement back and over the summer. I came in two weeks early and there was always someone from the medical team on hand to help me through stuff.

“They've ultimately got me back to where I am, which is fit and playing with no pain, so a lot of credit has to got to them.”