Stoke goalkeeper Jack Butland has made his return to competitive football after featuring in an Under-23 match on Monday.
The England shot-stopper is yet to play a Premier League game this season due to an ankle injury but made his comeback in a 2-0 Premier League 2 loss against Brighton on Monday, coming through unscathed in his bid to return to full fitness.
?“It feels really good,” the 24-year-old told ?Stoke’s official website.
“I’m just happy to be back out on the pitch again and to have come through the whole game.
“Obviously the last time didn’t go too well as I failed to get past the warm up so to be able to complete a game, despite the loss, I feel really pleased and comfortable. I knew I would come through the match though because I felt so good going into it.
“The ankle feels brilliant. There have been no ill effects or stiffness or anything like that so I feel a million times better than I did going in the last attempted comeback. I knew based on that I would get through the game and feel good after it.
“I suppose I had a busy first half with a couple of saves but I felt really comfortable and didn’t have anything in the back of my mind or any doubts.
“I felt really good kicking the ball and at ease being out on the pitch again which is the main thing, as well as coming out the other side feeling positive.
“It’s just nice to have ticked it off and I can now go home and hopefully prepare for a Premier League game at the weekend.”
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