Jack Butland is facing the prospect of completing almost a year without playing after being ruled out for another two to three months.

Butland, the Stoke City and England goalkeeper, has had another operation on his ankle problem and the worst case scenario is that he will not return until March for manager Mark Hughes.

The 23-year-old has not played a competitive game since fracturing his ankle in England's friendly against Germany on March 27 and has suffered a number of setbacks in his recovery.

Butland's absence has proved a shattering blow for club and country, with the former Birmingham goalkeeper highly rated by both Hughes and the England hierarchy. Sam Allardyce considered Butland as a serious rival to Joe Hart for the No 1 jersey before his abrupt departure while he is also well regarded by Gareth Southgate after his appearances with the under-21s.