Jack Butland vowed to swallow his pride for the greater good if he fails in his bid to become England’s World Cup goalkeeper.
It is just a matter of days until Gareth Southgate’s Three Lions head east on the back of a preparation camp as smooth as anyone at the Football Association could have hoped.
The England manager has some tough calls to make ahead of the Group G opener against Tunisia, but many believe he has already settled on Jordan Pickford as his starting goalkeeper.
The Everton goalkeeper’s ability on the ball appears to have given him the edge over Butland, who has long been viewed as Joe Hart’s successor having performed so impressively for club and country over the years.
Despite Pickford being handed the number one shirt for Russia, the Stoke shot-stopper has not given up on the starting the June 18 opener and spoke eloquently about the importance of the ‘goalkeepers’ union’ this summer.
“You are all in the same boat,” Butland told Press Association Sport.
“Whether you play or whether you’re on the bench, or however it may be, at some point in your career you will be one of those three roles.
“You will either be a young, up-and-coming goalkeeper watching the experienced one, you’ll either be on the bench or you’ll be in goal yourself.