Stoke City and England goalkeeper Jack Butland has returned to see a specialist after experiencing more discomfort from an ankle injury that has already kept him out for seven months.

Butland, 23, fractured his ankle during England's 3-2 victory against Germany in an international friendly in March and underwent surgery at the start of this season to try and clear up the problem.

Yet abortive attempts to return to training have led to more pain forcing the 'keeper to put his comeback on hold again and return to the doctors who oversaw his operation.

Jack Butland made a return in pre-season but then got injured again in Stoke City training

Butland won't be involved in Stoke's game against Swansea City on Monday night and there is no fixed timetable for his comeback although it looks clear he won't be available for England's World Cup qualifier against Scotland on November 11.

He signed for Stoke from Birmingham City in a £4million deal in 2013 establishing himself as first-choice after the departure of Asmir Begovic to Chelsea.

He was England under-21s captain under the current interim senior manager Gareth Southgate and has won four full caps.

Butland has been sidelined for seven months after he fractured his ankle against Germany