Jack Butland is moving ahead of Joe Hart in the battle to become England's No. 1, with Gareth Southgate considering the Stoke City goalkeeper for the World Cup qualifier in Malta.

Southgate made a personal trip to watch Butland in Stoke's 1-0 win over Arsenal at the bet365 Stadium on Saturday and is giving serious thought to recalling him for the international games next month.

Hart's place is under threat after conceding seven goals in two games since joining West Ham United on loan and Butland is now in line to make his first international appearance since the friendly against Germany in March 2016.

Butland suffered a fractured ankle in that game in Berlin and was stretchered off, enduring a frustrating 13 months without playing after a string of setbacks.

But the 24-year-old returned to the Stoke team at the end of last season and Southgate named him in the squads for England's World Cup qualifier against Scotland and the friendly in France in June.

Southgate is keen to see Butland in competitive action for the national team and is set to start him in the qualifier against Malta on September 1 if his impressive form continues. England also play Slovakia three days later in a qualifier at Wembley.