Goalkeeper Jack Butland has revealed that he will try to use his absence from England's World Cup squad as a chance to focus on breaking into Stoke City's starting lineup next season.
England boss Roy Hodgson opted to select Ben Foster and Fraser Forster in place of Butland, and while the former Birmingham City stopper admits that he is "gutted" with the exclusion, he has insisted that he hopes to use the break to focus on next season.
The 21-year-old is quoted by Sky Sports News as saying: "I have got the benefit of having a rest and starting pre-season. When Asmir Begovic is still away resting up from the World Cup, I have got to look to hit the ground running with Stoke and have a good pre-season.
"I want to be playing in the Premier League. I had a few games in January and I hope that Mark Hughes is very pleased with what he has seen. If I was to get the chance to build on that, it would be great."
Butland made just three top-flight appearances for the Potters last season, but he did play a total of 29 games on loan at Barnsley and Leeds United respectively.
Darren Plant
