19 Year old keeper called up for Euro 2012

Jack Butland, Birmingham's 19 year old keeper is in the Euro 2012 squad. He hasn't played for Birmingham, but played 24 games for Cheltenham on loan this season. Norwich's Jon Ruddy has pulled out with a broken finger.

[You must be registered and logged in to see this link.]

I heard this today and have to say raised an eyebrow at the announcement. However, it is as third choice and from that I would guess nobody but nobody expects him to play. Taking that as read I assume he is "one for the future" and they are giving him the away experience in preparation. Would have thought the management would look pretty silly if the other two get knackered though.

The third choice keeper wouldn't normally get anywhere near getting a game at a Championship, but will probably get 45 minutes in one of the warm up matches.

Would be interesting to see what would happen if Joe Hart got injured in one of the friendlies. I don't think Roy would be quite so keen on young Jack being the number two keeper, and someone else would get called up instead.

He can't be any shitter than Robinson, Green, et al.

Anyway, I doubt anyone will have a shot on target against us, looking at the rest of the squad.

Coming at this from a slightly different angle, and thinking about the debate being had concerning Luke McCormick's release from prison - who's to say that it wouldn't have been Luke getting a call-up had he just chosen to sleep it off on that fateful morning.

He's definitely been put in the squad on the assumption that he isn't going to actually play. It would be insane to have our hopes of progress reliant on an teenager who has only played in the 4th division.

If they wanted a keeper as backup, I'm surprised they didn't go for Stockdale. He has at least played a few Premiership matches, and with keepers not maturing until they are in their 30s he is still young enough to have some potential.

It must undermine other English keepers confidence in their opportunities to reach the top...when a 4th division keeper is preferred.