Stoke City goalkeeper Jack Butland has declared that he plans to use this summer's European Under-21 Championship as a springboard to the full England squad.

Butland will form a key part of Stuart Pearce's side for the two-week tournament in Israel, which begins with a match against Italy tomorrow night.

The 20-year-old believes that he is capable of using the competition to prove his worth to Three Lions boss Roy Hodgson, with one eye on a place in his plans for next summer's World Cup finals.

He told The Sun: "We're very proud to play for the Under-21s but everyone wants those senior caps. This is a great platform to perform on and step up to the next level.

"We know we can win these finals and that will only stand us in good stead going forward, having good seasons next year and trying to get a step on to that plane to Rio next summer.

"If I didn't think that, there would be no point. I'm not going to stand here and think three places are taken and just give up. I've got to prove I'm good enough to go. I feel really good in this squad and feel part of it, but this is the step to the next level."

Earlier this season Butland earned his first senior cap for the Three Lions, playing against Italy at the age of 19 to become England's youngest ever senior keeper.