Stoke City goalkeeper Jack Butland has admitted that he is "really pleased" to have overcome the mental barrier of making a return to action following his recent layoff.
The 23-year-old suffered Euro 2016 heartbreak when fracturing his ankle in a friendly between England and Germany in March, while also missing the final stretch of the Potters' season.
Butland made his first start since picking up the injury in Stoke's pre-season meeting with Burton Albion on Saturday afternoon, keeping a clean sheet before being replaced at half time in the eventual 3-0 defeat.
Speaking to the club's website after the match, the Englishman said: "I'm really pleased to be back and get some minutes under my belt. From a mental point of view as well - the last time I was on pitch I broke my ankle, so to get through that and feel what it's like to be back on the pitch is really good.
"I felt good, I felt strong and my ankle feels really good as well which is really positive. Initially after the operation I wasn't doing a lot. I concentrated on getting the swelling down and getting the movement back and over the summer.
"I came in two weeks early and there was always someone from the medical team on hand to help me through stuff. They've ultimately got me back to where I am, which is fit and playing with no pain, so a lot of credit has to got to them."
Butland was recently backed by England's World Cup-winning goalkeeper Gordon Banks to replace Joe Hart as the Three Lions' first-choice stopper for the upcoming World Cup qualifying campaign.
