England World Cup winner Gordon Banks has been talking about Jack Butland's international prospects, and his conclusions won't please Stoke fans.

25-year old Butland had been tipped to depart the Potters this summer, but he remains at the club despite strong interest from the Premier League.

He has been called up to the England squad for matches against Spain and Switzerland, but remains behind Jordan Pickford in the pecking order. He's now vying for the back up spot with Alex McCarthy and Marcus Bettinelli, both playing top flight football.

1966 hero Banks believes that a switch to the top flight might be needed if Butland is to remain in the England set up.

“I’d love Jack to stay at Stoke for the long term, we all would, because he’s a really super goalkeeper," he is reported as saying by Sport 360. "but he might need to leave for the sake of his England career, which is a shame for Stoke fans though it’s understandable,”

Banks concluded that ability might not be the only factor and that in reality, a player needed to be in the top flight for a regular England career.

“I definitely think he’s good enough for England, but the facts are, at the moment, you really need to play top-division football to be in with a shout of the England team. It’s the way the world works."

The Verdict

Sadly, Banks might be right. There's a strong chance that players in the Championship will be overlooked by Gareth Southgate in favour of those who are playing the very best teams every week.

It might not be fair on Butland, but that is how the world works. Championship players are not playing against the world's best players most weeks and that is a hinderance, whether it is fair or not.