Wednesday 16 March 2016 10:53, UK
Goalkeeper Jack Butland is close to agreeing a new long-term contract at Stoke City.
The 23-year-old England international has been in fine form this season and Stoke are looking to tie him down to a new deal, which could be for as long as five years.
Butland's current contract runs until 2019 but it seems Stoke want to reward him for his efforts during a campaign in which he has emerged as a genuine rival to Joe Hart's position as England No 1.
Butland has been capped three times, keeping clean sheets against Lithuania and France last autumn, and currently appears poised to travel to Euro 2016 as Hart's chief back-up.
He took over as the Stoke No 1 this season after Asmir Begovic joined Chelsea and has kept 10 clean sheets in his 30 matches, conceding 36 goals.
