Stoke City manager Mark Hughes has revealed that Jack Butland could return to first-team training by the end of the month.
The Potters goalkeeper has struggled to recover from breaking his ankle in England's friendly international with Germany in March, but Hughes is hopeful that his first-choice stopper could be back in contention by the end of the year.
The 53-year-old told reporters: "Jack is progressing really well. We had to get to the route of the problem and we understand that now. He isn't fully up to speed yet but we are hopeful that if he has a good week next week then he will be back within the senior group.
"We are encouraged by the last couple of weeks for him because previously he would get so far and then break down again.
"It's going to be difficult when he is back because Lee (Grant) has been fantastic."
Butland had made 35 appearances for Stoke last season before being sidelined through injury.
Darren Plant
