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Play me, pleads Birmingham's Jack Butland
JACK BUTLAND, a £6million target for Southampton, has warned Birmingham he could leave unless he gets regular games.
Butland went to the European Championship with England and is first-choice goalkeeper for Team GB in the Olympics.
But he still has not made his first-team debut for Birmingham and has spent most of his career on loan at Cheltenham Town.
Now that Ben Foster has moved to West Brom, Butland, 19, expects new Birmingham manager Lee Clark to give him his chance.
Butland was recalled from Cheltenham by previous manager Chris Hughton towards the end of last season but only got a place on the bench when Boaz Myhill was injured.
Newly promoted Southampton have had an offer for Butland turned down and Birmingham, despite financial pressures, are holding out for £9m.
I want to play as many games at the highest level as I possibly can
“I want to play as many games at the highest level as I possibly can,” said Butland.
“I should be pushing for a first-team place at Birmingham. That’s what I want, not to be sitting on the bench. It is time I played now.
“I’ve had some great experiences with England at the European Championship and I can’t wait for the Olympics to start.
“My name has been linked with some interested clubs and that’s flattering. It’s not an option for me now though. I need games.”