Birmingham City goalkeeper Jack Butland has insisted that his age has no bearing on his call-up to the England squad to play against Italy on Wednesday.
The 19-year-old has been included in Roy Hodgson's team for the first time in his career and should he make an appearance in Switzerland, then he would become England's youngest ever goalkeeper.
Butland, though, is not concerned about the record and underlines the example of Manchester City goalkeeper Joe Hart.
"Age is just a number," Butland told The Sun. "It's not relevant to me and I wish no-one made a fuss about it.
"If you are good enough you are old enough. I'd hate to think I was getting looked on favourably, or being held back due to my age.
"Joe Hart is the perfect example. Everyone knew what a great keeper he was but when the World Cup came, people were still pointing to his age and suggesting that England needed experience."
Butland was part of the Team GB squad that reached the quarter-finals at the London Olympics.
Subhankar Mondal
