- Jordan Pickford is Southgate’s number one, but back-up options are a bit limited
- Aaron Ramsdale, Nick Pope and Sam Johnstone are out or injured
- CHRIS SUTTON on sledging, rude confrontations and verbal jousting on the field – Podcast Everything is beginning
Gareth Southgate could turn to Jack Butland again as the England manager admits he faces a goalkeeping dilemma.
Although Everton’s Jordan Pickford remains England’s number one, Southgate has few backup options with Euro 2024 fast approaching.
Aaron Ramsdale has been warming Arsenal’s 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.
Newcastle’s Nick Pope, 31, will be sidelined until at least the end of March after dislocating his shoulder against Manchester United in early December.
Sam Johnstone, 30, has dropped to the Crystal Palace bench of late following a calf injury, and his replacement Dean Henderson, 26, will be hoping to impress.
Jack Butland could be in line for a surprise England withdrawal after impressing Rangers
England manager Gareth Southgate has few back-up options for number one Jordan Pickford
Butland saves Kilmarnock’s Kyle Vassell during a Scottish Premiership match
Therefore, Rangers goalkeeper Butland, 30, whose last cap for England was in 2018, could be in line for a call-up ahead of March’s friendly double-header against Brazil and Belgium.
“It’s a problem for us and the situation is up in the air,” Southgate said.
‘We have to make sure we’re keeping an eye on everyone. Jack is included in that because he plays for a big club and is an experienced goalkeeper.
“It’s not an ideal situation with Aaron not playing, Sam currently not playing and Nick injured.
“We’ll have to see how it plays out.”
Butland, who has won nine caps for England, 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 appearances for Rangers this season.
England has just four friendlies to prepare for the European Championship in Germany: they will face Brazil on March 23 and Belgium on March 26, both at Wembley.
Everton’s Jordan Pickford has been Southgate’s England number one for much of his tenure.
Newcastle’s Nick Pope suffered a shoulder dislocation in December and is currently sidelined
Aaron Ramsdale will play second fiddle to David Raya at Arsenal this season
Sam Johnstone has been on the Crystal Palace bench of late after returning from injury.
They will then face Bosnia and Herzegovina at St James’ Park in Newcastle 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 wants Southgate to extend his contract, which expires in December, until the 2026 World Cup.
The England manager revealed 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.
