England U21s goalkeeper has his sights set on a second shot at European glory

Jack Butland wants to pick up another European Championship winners' medal when England Under-21s head to Israel this summer.

The Birmingham City stopper, on loan from Stoke City, was in goal as the U17s beat Spain in the Final to lift the European title in 2010.

Since then, the 20-year-old has moved through the Three Lions ranks to play for the Under-21s and Seniors and was also Team GB's no1 at London 2012.

His last outing for Stuart Pearce's side was in Serbia when they clinched qualification for Euro 2013 with a 1-0 play-off win in October.

In February he was with Roy Hodgson's men for their game against Brazil, and trained at St. George's Park.

This week he's back at the national football centre with the Under-21s as they face two important warm-up games ahead of this summer's trip to Israel.

First up on Thursday night is a meeting with Romania in Wycombe, before the team plays their final game on home soil ahead the tournament against Austria at Brighton on Monday.

"It’s only the second time I’ve been here [St. George's Park], it’s a fantastic set-up and I’m really glad to be back with the Under-21s and looking forward to both games," he told TheFA.com.

"It’s good to get everyone together, you’ve seen the younger lads come by and watch us train. It’s a good atmosphere that will hopefully produce plenty of players in the future.

"It’s going to be a new experience for a lot of the squad. Romania is a side I’ve never faced so it will be a good test.

"Thursday-Monday it’s a quick turn-around, a quick recovery and back at it again which everyone is used to doing with their club sides. It’s nothing new, something we’re all used to," he said.



"This is a chance for everyone to put a marker down and try to get to Israel in the summer. It will be a fantastic tournament and everyone is really looking forward to it."

He added: "There’s a couple of players in this squad who I went to those Championships with when we beat Spain. We’ve been there before so it will be nice to keep that 100% record."

Pearce's side have not tasted defeat since November 2011, a run that has seen them win seven on the trot without conceding a goal.

"We go into every game confident in ourselves and in each other that we can go and do that [clean sheet] again," said the Bristol-born stopper. 

"That’s been the biggest thing we’ve dealt with as a team and the places we’ve been, we’ve still managed to go and perform, get wins and keep clean sheets.

"I’m pleased with the way I’ve been playing lately and really looking forward to try and carry that forward into the Under-21s game."

Butland has enjoyed a running-battle with Tom Carroll during training at St. George's Park. On Monday he made a fine save from the Tottenham Hotspur midfielder, but on Tuesday Carroll got his revenge scoring a fine effort into the top corner.

"I think I won the battle yesterday but today he’s managed to put it in the 'top bin' without me being able to move, so that’s the way it goes. But I probably should have been cheeky to him in the changing room yesterday."

He added: "They are a great bunch of lads with fantastic quality and every time we do have practises in session like this the quality comes through."

Tickets Details for England U21s v Romania at Adams Park on 21 March 2013
Adults £10
Children (Under-16s) £5
Students (with NUS Card) £5
OAPS (over-65s) £5
Family Ticket (two adults and two children) £20

Group Bookings 15 people or more (no age restrictions and bookable in advance only): £5 adults, £2.50 concessions (Download Form)
Charter Standard Clubs Up to 25 complimentary tickets on proof of membership (Download Form)