Saturday 9 June 2018 15:23, UK
Jack Butland insists he will put his pride to one side and do all he can to help, should Gareth Southgate decide against making him England No 1 in Russia.
The 25-year-old was given a chance to stake claim for the shirt recently as England faced Costa Rica in their final World Cup warm-up fixture.
Butland was given 65 minutes at Elland Road, keeping a clean sheet before being replaced by Burnley stopper Nick Pope.
Southgate is believed to prefer Everton's Jordan Pickford as his first choice goalkeeper, due to the youngster's strong distribution ability and confidence in playing out from the back.
Despite not being handed the No 1 shirt when squad numbers were dished out, Butland has not given up hope that he could be the man between the sticks for the Three Lions.
"You are all in the same boat," said Butland.
"Whether you play or whether you're on the bench, or however it may be, at some point in your career you will be one of those three roles.
"You will either be a young, up-and-coming goalkeeper watching the experienced one, you'll either be on the bench or you'll be in goal yourself."
The Stoke City man does however recognise the importance of providing a supporting role if he fails to nail down the starting position as his own, and has vowed to help in any way possible as England look to win their first major trophy since 1966.
"It's important that you're humble and that you're respectful and you put all pride aside.
"Whoever gets selected can't succeed without the support and backing of the other two.
"Regardless of what happens, I want to be part of a successful England team and if I have to swallow my pride and disappointment at not being the number one, then I've got to do that for us to be successful and obviously to help whoever is in goal perform at their best."
