Mark Hughes assessing loan options for Jack Butland

Stoke City boss Mark Hughes has said that he is looking at the possibility of sending young goalkeeper Jack Butland out on loan.

The Potters paid Birmingham City £3.5m for the England international back in January and immediately loaned him back to the Blues.

With Asmir Begovic looking likely to stay at the Britannia Stadium this summer, Hughes is hoping to secure first-team football for the 20-year-old keeper elsewhere.

"Jack's an outstanding young keeper and it's about making sure he develops," hughes told Sky Sports News.

"If there's not the right opportunity, and we don't think it's advantageous to his development, then he won't go out, he'll stay with us."

Butland made his international bow against Italy in Bern.