Stoke City's Jakob Haugaard backs Jack Butland for England start

Jakob Haugaard has claimed that Stoke City goalkeeper Jack Butland deserves to be handed a starting spot by England manager Roy Hodgson for next week's Euro 2016 qualifiers.

The Three Lions, who have already qualified for next summer's finals in France, will round off their qualifying campaign with matches against Estonia on October 9 and Lithuania three days later.

Haugaard, who is Stoke's reserve goalkeeper, has urged Hodgson to pick Butland over number one Joe Hart as he believes that the 22-year-old is one of the best shot-stoppers in the Premier League right now.

"I think he should play," The Sentinel quotes Haugaard as saying. "I think he deserves that with the way he's been performing at the start of the season.

"It's the manager's decision, but if you have been watching Jack's games it's obvious he should get a game. He's one of the best in the league."

Butland has earned one cap for the England senior side.