Gareth Southgate could turn to Jack Butland again with the England manager admitting he is facing a goalkeeper dilemma.
Although Everton’s Jordan Pickford remains England’s No 1, Southgate is light on back-up options with Euro 2024 fast approaching.
Aaron Ramsdale has been warming the Arsenal bench for most of the season after Mikel Arteta brought in David Raya last summer, with the 25-year-old playing just 10 games all season.
Sam Johnstone, 30, has dropped to the bench at Crystal Palace of late following a calf injury, with his replacement Dean Henderson, 26, hoping to impress.
Jack Butland could be in line for a surprise England recall after impressing for Rangers
England manager Gareth Southgate is light on back-up options to No 1 Jordan Pickford
Butland makes a save from Kilmarnock’s Kyle Vassell during a Scottish Premiership match
So Rangers goalkeeper Butland, 30, whose last England cap came back in 2018, could be in line for a recall ahead of the March friendly double-header against Brazil and Belgium.
‘It is an issue for us and the situation is up in the air,’ Southgate said.
‘We have to make sure we’re watching everybody. Jack is included in that because he’s playing at a big club and is an experienced goalkeeper.
‘It’s not an ideal situation with Aaron not playing, Sam at the moment not playing and Nick injured.
‘We’ll have to see how that plays out.’
Butland, who has nine England caps, has impressed at Ibrox since moving there after his Palace contract expired at the end of last season.
The former Stoke City stopper has kept 19 clean sheets in 38 Rangers appearances this season.
England have just four friendlies to tune up for the Euros in Germany – they face Brazil on March 23 and Belgium on March 26, both at Wembley.
Jordan Pickford of Everton has been Southgate’s England No 1 for much of his tenure
Newcastle’s Nick Pope suffered a dislocated shoulder in December and is currently sidelined
Aaron Ramsdale is playing second fiddle to David Raya at Arsenal this season
Sam Johnstone has been on the bench at Crystal Palace of late after returning from injury
They then take on Bosnia and Herzegovina at Newcastle’s St James’ Park on June 3 and Iceland at Wembley on June 7 before opening their Euro 2024 campaign against Serbia on June 16.
It comes as the Football Association want Southgate to extend his contract – which expires in December – through until the 2026 World Cup.
The England boss disclosed at the UEFA Nations League draw in Paris that he has yet to decide on his future and could be persuaded to extend his tenure to 10 years.
