Usually when a side hits the target seven times in a match they would expectation at least a couple of them to find the back of the net.

However, for Norwich on Saturday this wasn’t the case.

The Canaries, despite only getting 42% possession, unleashed 21 shots on Stoke’s goal, with seven of those hitting the target. But due to an inspired performance from Jack Butland, Stoke managed to get out the game with a point and Norwich were left to rue their luck.

However, Butland’s display wasn’t about luck. It was a superb display of goalkeeping littered with a series of superb saves. Perhaps, most notably, his point earning save came from Nathan Redmond after the Norwich winger unleashed a low drive down to the England U21 stopper’s right from about eight yards out, but Butland’s fingertips guided Redmond’s effort wide for a corner.

Manager Mark Hughes was all too aware of the importance of Butland’s performance at Carrow Road, saying: “In the end we were grateful for a great performance by Jack Butland.

“I thought he was excellent today, making one or two key saves at key moments, which allowed us to get something out of the game.”

And when Hughes was asked about Butland’s England chances, he said: “He needs to play well for us.

“I have made him number one, we all feel it is Jack’s time now.

“He has paid his dues so to speak, with loan moves, and he has done really well when he has gone out of the club, and now he has got the opportunity to really establish himself as the number one keeper.

“Performances like today won’t do him any harm whatsoever.”

And like Hughes eluded to, the former Birmingham stopper has had to bide his time for first team football since his move to the Britannia in 2012. If he starts the Potters’ next game he would have beaten his current personal record of Premier League games amassed in a single season in just four matches. He has spent time away on loan and even went with England to the European Championships in 2012 as a late back up to the injured John Ruddy.

Butland is good enough to be England’s first choice stopper for years to come, but his main obstacle, a sizeable one at that – Joe Hart – will make it difficult for a while yet. Hart, 28, is very much Hodgson’s number one choice and will rightly be for a few years until his form drops. Until then, Butland may struggle to get an opportunity to shine at international level.

However, that shouldn’t deter Butland from giving up hope. He is only 22-years-old and has all the attributes to be a top class keeper for England for many years. He is tall, strong, imposing  and, as clearly witnessed Saturday, is a fantastic shot stopper with natural ability.

Butland has the potential to do it and has is on his side to prove himself. Perhaps he could well force himself ahead of Hart in the near future; more performances like his one on Saturday won’t do his chances any harm.

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