Rangers goalkeeper Jack Butland is reportedly in contention to return to the England squad for March's friendlies with Brazil and Belgium.
The former Manchester United and Stoke City goalkeeper has not been seen in his country's colours since November 2018, when he played the full 90 minutes in a 1-0 friendly win over Switzerland.
Gareth Southgate called Butland up to a few more squads in the following months, but he was only an unused substitute in subsequent matches and has not joined up with the Three Lions since the 2019 Nations League finals.
Since his most recent call-up, Butland struggled to settle at Old Trafford and Crystal Palace, leaving the latter on a free transfer to Rangers last summer, where he would step into the shoes of the recently-departed Allan McGregor.
Butland has proven to be an astute acquisition from the Gers, whom he has kept 22 clean sheets for in 42 matches during the 2023-24 season, including a Scottish Premiership-high 17 shut-outs in 27 games.
© Reuters
The 30-year-old has shipped just 13 goals in the 2023-24 Scottish top flight - also the best record of its kind in the division - as Philippe Clement's men sit two points better off than Celtic at the top of the table.
Butland also conceded just two goals en route to the Scottish League Cup title earlier this season and has played every minute of his side's Europa League campaign, in which Rangers finished top of Group C to set up a last-16 clash with Benfica.
With England facing a goalkeeping crisis owing to a lack of shot-stoppers earning regular Premier League minutes, Southgate recently confirmed that he is running the rule over Butland ahead of next month's friendlies with Brazil (March 23) and Belgium (March 26).
Now, Sky Sports News reports that the 30-year-old could play his way back into the Three Lions' setup, and he has been in constant contact with Southgate and other FA officials in recent months.
Butland apparently travelled to meet with Southgate and his England colleagues ahead of their friendly win over Scotland last September, and Three Lions goalkeeping coach Martyn Margetson is analysing videos of the Rangers goalkeeper's matches on a weekly basis.
© Reuters
Should Butland continue performing in the same vein for Rangers, the former Birmingham City youngster could even make a case to earn a spot in England's Euro 2024 squad as he bids to make his first appearance for his country at a major tournament.
Butland was a substitute throughout Euro 2012 and the 2018 World Cup, but he was not included in Roy Hodgson's 2014 World Cup squad and also missed Euro 2016 owing to a fractured ankle.
England gear up for Euro 2024 with Everton's Jordan Pickford still their undisputed number one, while Crystal Palace shot-stopper Sam Johnstone - who has just won his place back in the Eagles' XI from Dean Henderson - is seemingly a shoo-in for next month's squad.
However, Arsenal's Aaron Ramsdale is at risk of losing his spot in the national team after being relegated to second choice in North London behind David Raya, while Newcastle United's Nick Pope is on the mend from shoulder surgery.
Following next month's friendlies, England face Bosnia-Herzegovina and Iceland in another pair of exhibition games in June before tackling Denmark, Serbia and Slovenia in their Euro 2024 group.
Ben Knapton
