Youngster gets Hughes backing despite being sent out on loan.
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Stoke City manager Mark Hughes has tipped promising young goalkeeper Jack Butland to be England no.1 in the future, despite sending the 20-year-old out on loan to Championship side Barnsley, Sky Sports reports.
The talented shot-stopper arrived at the Britannia Stadium this summer having agreed a move from Birmingham City back in January, as the club had likely anticipated that Asmir Begovic would be leaving the club, though the Bosnian ended up staying for this season.
However, as top clubs continue to circle around the 25-year-old, including Atletico Madrid and Napoli, Hughes is aware that Butland is still a valuable member of his squad, and someone he has high hopes for in the future.
Butland already has one cap for the senior England national side, and is widely tipped as a star for the future for the Three Lions, and Hughes has echoed his belief that the youngster is going to be good enough to play for his country.
However, the former Queens Park Rangers boss added that it was always in his mind that he would be loaned out to another club for the time being.
“It was always our intention to get Jack Butland out on loan,” the Potters boss explained. “It was vitally important to get him out to allow him to continue his development.
“He is an outstanding young talent and someone we have incredibly high hopes for. We will keep a close eye on him and he will come here on certain days to maintain the work he has been doing with us.
“It is a good move for him and he will learn a lot from it. He has the potential to be the next England keeper.”