Skip to content

Jack Butland injury 'upsetting', says Roy Hodgson

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

England manager Roy Hodgson discusses the injury to goalkeeper Jack Butland

England manager Roy Hodgson was left "disturbed and upset" by the injury which has all but ruled Jack Butland out of Euro 2016.

The Stoke goalkeeper fractured his ankle in Saturday's 3-2 victory over Germany - just as he had been given his chance to stake a claim to become Hodgson's first-choice ahead of the summer.

Butland was hurt just before Toni Kroos opened the scoring in Berlin in the 43rd minute.

On Sunday evening, the Football Association revealed the severity of Butland's injury adding that the 23-year-old would return back to his club for further assessment and treatment.

Butland lies on the pitch as he gets injured
Image: The Stoke goalkeeper will now miss the Euros

Hodgson, who said he has yet to decide if West Brom's Ben Foster could come in as the third goalkeeper for the Euros, praised Butland's strength of character, adding the stopper will be missed in France this summer.

"I think it is very disturbing and very upsetting for us to see someone who has worked so hard this year (get injured)," the England boss told reporters ahead of England's friendly against the Netherlands on Tuesday night.

"He has had such a good season at Stoke, forced himself into a situation where many people said it was going to be a really good fight between him and Joe for the first-team shirt.

Also See:

"Suddenly you get your chance against Germany and to fracture your ankle in that way is a devastating blow and we all felt sympathy for him, empathy as well of course because a lot of players have suffered injuries in their career.

Fraser Forster of England celebrates his team's third goal during the International Friendly match between Germany and England
Image: Fraser Forster is expected to start Tuesday's game against the Netherlands

"He was very strong about about it all, very stoic. He said to me he would come back stronger and said it would not affect his career in any way.

"That was good to hear and our best wishes are with him and we are all going to miss him because we were hoping he would be a part of it."

Fraser Forster replaced Butland in the Olympiastadion and is set to start on Tuesday night as Hodgson prepares to rotate his squad for the visit of the Dutch on Tuesday.

Around Sky