‘Prepared’: Manager admits reported Liverpool and Crystal Palace target could go today

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Stoke City are “prepared” to lose reported Crystal Palace and Liverpool target Jack Butland before today’s 5pm transfer deadline, Potters boss Michael O’Neill has told the Stoke Sentinel.

Jordan Pickford isn’t the only England international goalkeeper who has endured a year to forget.

Just two years ago, Butland was training alongside the under-fire Everton stopper in the Moscow sun at the 2018 World Cup.

These days, after a series of high-profile blunders, the once £30 million-rated goalkeeper isn’t even Stoke City’s number one after O’Neill dropped him to the bench in favour of Adam Davies.

And, should an acceptable offer arrive on the final day of a lengthy window, Stoke are unlikely to stand in Butland’s way – especially with his contract due to expire in July 2021.

“He’s entered the last year of his contract,” the former Northern Ireland manager explains. “Whether something happens or not before tomorrow’s deadline, I suppose, we’ll have to wait and see.

“If that situation arises we’ll address it. We’re prepared for eventualities like that.

“Jack’s a Stoke City player. He’s not in the team at this minute and he has a challenge on his hands to get the jersey back from Adam Davies, who’s done extremely well.”

The Standard reports Crystal Palace boss Roy Hodgson is planning a reunion with Butland at Selhurst Park after current ‘number two’ Wayne Hennessey was ruled out until the new year with a serious injury problem.

The Mirror claimed earlier in the week that Liverpool were also interested amid fears Adrian will be haunted by that 7-2 thumping at Aston Villa.