Jack Butland wants Joe Hart's spot for England as Gareth Southgate's players prepare for World Cup qualifiers
- Jack Butland has impressed while Joe Hart has struggled at new club West Ham
- He says he always looks forward to playing for England and will try to impress
- But he insists the key is making sure he is part of the squad for the World Cup
Jack Butland is eyeing the England No 1 jersey for the World Cup qualifiers against Malta and Slovakia.
The Stoke goalkeeper wants to dislodge Joe Hart and Gareth Southgate is giving the decision serious consideration.
Southgate was impressed by Butland’s display in the 1-0 win over Arsenal when watching from the stands while Hart has conceded 10 goals in three Premier League games for West Ham.
Jack Butland (left) is keen to take the England No 1 jersey over the international break
Joe Hart (centre) has struggled for form but is the incumbent first choice goalkeeper
Raheem Sterling throws a medicine ball as England prepare for their upcoming qualifiers
Leicester City defender Harry Maguire trains with England for the first time in his career
‘Everyone knows being No 1 is what I want. But you’ve got to earn it,’ Butland said. ‘Hopefully I’m on my way to doing that. We’ll see what happens.
‘I feel good, I feel I’m playing well. I’ll go away with hopes of getting some game time, but it’s really a case of doing as well as I can during the week, and putting my name in the hat.
‘I’ve got some fierce competition. I always look forward to going away with England and training with the other boys. I’ll try and do whatever I can to be in the goal.’
The England squad - including Watford's Nathaniel Chalobah - go through a jogging drill
Tottenham midfielder Dele Alli stretches alongside his team-mates on Monday evening
Butland has five England caps but only one from a competitive encounter, away to Lithuania in October 2015, and missed out last year due to a lengthy ankle injury.
Southgate is an admirer having worked with the 24-year-old at England Under-21 level.
‘I’m still young, I’ve got plenty of time left,’ added Butland. ‘There’s no rush, there is no feeling of having to make up on lost time. I feel fit and back to where I was before.
‘I’ve had injuries, I’ve had tough times, I’ve missed European Championships, but the big one is being on that plane to Russia this summer, that’s what I want.’
Veteran striker Jermain Defoe is all smiles after being called up to the England squad
Jordan Henderson looks on as the players stretch on their first day of training with England
The squad watch on as they receive instruction at their training base of St. George's Park
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