Stoke City manager Mark Hughes has confirmed that goalkeeper Jack Butland has returned to training after seven months on the sidelines with injury.
The 23-year-old was due to be fit for the start of the 2016-17 campaign after he broke his ankle while playing for England in March.
However, the shot-stopper suffered a setback in pre-season, which required surgery, and now he is closing in on a comeback.
"He was out on the pitch yesterday for the first time," Hughes said in Friday's press conference. "He had a procedure which has loosened ligaments in the ankle, which were a bit sticky for want of a better word.
"The injury before day one was very hard to take, but he shrugged his shoulders and got on with it and hopefully now he can see the return date coming up shortly."
The Potters currently sit 18th in the Premier League table after losing four, drawing three and winning just one game.
