Butland faces Euro exit after fracturing ankle

March 28, 2016 | 09:20
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England goalkeeper Jack Butland fractured his ankle in Saturday's 3-2 victory over Germany in Berlin, casting a doubt over the Stoke City player's hopes of making Euro 2016.
​File photo of Stoke City's goalkeeper Jack Butland during an English Premier League football match. (AFP/Paul Ellis)

LONDON: England goalkeeper Jack Butland fractured his ankle in Saturday's 3-2 victory over Germany in Berlin, casting a doubt over the Stoke City player's hopes of making Euro 2016.

The 23-year-old, standing in for injured first-choice keeper Joe Hart, was hurt just before half-time on Saturday and was replaced by Fraser Forster.

"Today's scan revealed I've fractured my ankle, absolutely devastated! I'll be doing everything I can to get back fit as soon as I can," Butland tweeted on Sunday.

Forster is likely to start against the Netherlands at Wembley on Tuesday with back-up from Burnley's Tom Heaton.

With Euro 2016 starting on June 10, Butland's place in the squad will be in doubt as will the rest of his season in the Premier League.

"Goalkeeper Jack Butland will miss Tuesday night's fixture against the Netherlands at Wembley Stadium after fracturing his ankle," said a statement from the Football Association.

"The Stoke City man sustained the injury in the first half of Saturday's 3-2 victory over Germany in Berlin and has now returned home."

AFP

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