Ex Crystal Palace and Man Utd star set for unexpected England call-up 12 years after debut

Former Crystal Palace goalkeeper Jack Butland is set for a call-up into the England squad from Gareth Southgate six years after his last appearance for the Three Lions.

Sky Sports reports that the 31-year-old is 'expected' to be included by Southgate after impressing for Rangers in the Scottish Premiership this season. Newcastle United man Nick Pope is injured and Arsenal star Aaron Ramsdale is struggling for minutes. Butland joined the Glasgow giants after his contract at Selhurst Park expired last summer.

Liverpool defender Joe Gomez and Brentford star Ivan Toney are also set to return to the squad as the England manager works to deal with a long list of injuries to star players. Chelsea star Cole Palmer is also pushing for inclusion in midfield.

Butland made his international debut against Italy in 2012 and became the youngest-ever England goalkeeper at 19 years and 158 days. The shot-stopper has made a total of nine appearances for the international side, the last being in an international friendly against Switzerland in 2018.

The Birmingham City academy graduate made 17 appearances for Crystal Palace between 2020 and 2023, having arrived from Stoke City for £1 million. The player spent the last half of last season on loan at Manchester United.

Watch - Brazil legend Ronaldo stuns fans by turning out for Sunday League Club

Butland has racked up 46 appearances for Rangers in all competitions this season, keeping 23 clean sheets in the process. Last month Rangers manager Philippe Clement backed Butland for an England return.

He said: "Over more than 30 years, Jack together with Simon are the two best I have met. He is a really, really top-class goalkeeper for me. He almost didn't have a downfall [make a mistake] in all of our four months together.

"He is a top goalkeeper but also a top personality because you can be a really good goalkeeper but not be a leader in the dressing room - but Simon and Jack both are. They're quite similar - they have some specific different qualities but they're both leaders with a lot of authority. But really natural, not forced.

"If people are talking about being in the England squad, that says enough - because England will be one of the favourites to win [Euro 2024]. It is the decision of Mr Southgate. He knows all the other goalkeepers, I don't watch all these games, so I cannot make comparison, but I can say one thing, Jack is totally ready - every game he is proving that."