Stoke City's Jack Butland plays down exit talk

Stoke City goalkeeper Jack Butland has pledged his immediate future to the Potters amid suggestions that the England stopper could leave the Britannia.

Butland, 22, has thrived at Stoke this season after replacing Asmir Begovic as the club's first-choice stopper in the Premier League.

His form has led to claims that Liverpool want to sign the former Birmingham City goalkeeper, but Butland has insisted that he is happy at his current club.

"I do want to play at the top but, at the minute, I can't fault where I am," Butland told Sky Sports News. "I'm in a brilliant, brilliant squad who are playing extremely well and things are looking really bright for the club.

"Right now I can't see any better place for me to be. I'm learning every week, I'm playing with some great players - the goalie coach (Andy Quy) I'm really happy with, and learning a lot from the staff as well."

Butland has previously had loan spells at Cheltenham Town, Barnsley, Leeds United and Derby County.