Jack Butland: Hoping for an extended run in the Stoke starting line-up

Stoke City goalkeeper Jack Butland has targeted a place in England's World Cup squad in Brazil this summer.

Butland was an unused squad member at Euro 2012 and became the youngest goalkeeper to make a senior appearance for England when he started against Italy aged 19 in August of the same year.

There is plenty of competition for three goalkeeping spots in Roy Hodgson's squad, with Fraser Forster, John Ruddy and Ben Foster in pole position to join number one Joe Hart.

But Butland has the chance to impress in the Premier League following injuries to Asmir Begovic and Thomas Sorensen and he is determined to stake his claim.

He said of making the World Cup: "That's always been my focus. Having tasted the England set-up before, I know what it's like, it's the greatest feeling ever to play for your country.

"I'm focused on getting back into that squad, and if I was to make the World Cup it'd be a target achieved."

Butland was introduced at half-time during the New Year's Day draw with Everton after Sorensen suffered an Achilles injury, and made his first start in the FA Cup win over Leicester City.

The 20-year-old seems certain to keep his place when Liverpool visit the Britannia Stadium on Sunday.

He said: "I need to be playing in the Premier League and with a good quality of performance if I want to go to the World Cup. It's as simple as that.

"There's goalkeepers around me like Hart, Foster, Ruddy, Forster, they're playing at the top level regularly and if I can match that level of performance and perform even better then I've got a chance, if not it's going to be difficult.

"But that's certainly my target for this season. I'm confident I can get back there."