England Under-21s goalkeeper Jack Butland has backed his senior counterpart Joe Hart to bounce back strongly and impress during 2014.
Butland is currently preparing to lead out England against Finland in Milton Keynes, just 24 hours before Hart and the senior squad face Chile at Wembley.
And the 20-year-old believes Hart will be ‘burning inside’ to impress as England's number one this week and also reclaim his place in the Manchester City team ahead of next summer's World Cup.
"I know Joe very well, we speak every now and again but I gave him space for the last couple of weeks because the last thing he wants is people telling him things he already knows," revealed Butland.
"He's fully aware of the situation but if there's one thing I know about him it is that he will be absolutely burning inside to get back playing.
"I'm sure this short stint out of the team will make him even stronger and he will come back even better than he ever has done before in the World Cup year."
Stoke City stopper Butland is currently enjoying a loan spell with Championship side Barnsley, but first worked with Hart as a teenager when the Manchester City star spent a similar spell with Butland’s first club Birmingham City in 2009.
“He will be absolutely burning inside to get back playing. ”
Jack Butland England Under-21s
They have since worked together on England duty when Butland has been involved with the senior squad and he now knows Hart well enough to expect him to come back fighting for his place at the Etihad Stadium.
"I have total confidence in him, he has had a tough time and when you have the England number one tag, it brings a lot more pressure and attention,” added Butland.
"He's dealt with it fantastically as England's and Manchester City's number one.
"I don't want to see him do badly. I sympathise with him because I've made mistakes and know how it feels."
Having already made his debut for England at senior level, in the game against Italy in 2012, Butland still has ambitions of further international honours under Hodgson.
But if that is to be the case in the future, Bristol-born Butland wants it to be through his own good form as opposed to another goalkeeper’s misfortune.
"I want to succeed on my own merit but sometimes those opportunities come around because of situations like this," he explained.
"I was very fortunate to make my debut when Joe was injured against Italy and sometimes little opportunities come around and you have to take them.
"I don't know what it feels like to be in his position right now but that's where I want to get to."
