---
title: "Crystal Palace deliver potential hint over Jack Butland return"
canonical: "https://readcrystalpalace.com/2020/11/05/jack-butland-injury-return-palace-leeds/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "jrushworth"
section: "Crystal Palace News"
published: "2020-11-05T08:00:34Z"
modified: "2020-11-05T08:00:34Z"
---

# Crystal Palace deliver potential hint over Jack Butland return

Crystal Palace goalkeeper [Jack Butland](https://readcrystalpalace.com/2020/10/21/are-palace-dropping-a-major-hint-with-shirt-announcement/) could potentially be set to make a matchday squad for the first time since arriving at Selhurst Park after the club showed the keeper had returned to training on [social media](https://twitter.com/CPFC/status/1323689091335159820).

Butland was a late arrival at Crystal Palace on the last day of the domestic transfer window, with the ‘keeper arriving on a three-year deal for around [£1m](https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/54578568) from Stoke City. The 27-year-old was brought in by Roy Hodgson to help fill the void left by the injury Wayne Hennessey, who is set to be out until around February, per [Evening Standard](https://www.standard.co.uk/sport/football/crystal-palace-jack-butland-transfer-wayne-hennessey-injured-a4571836.html).

The one-time England regular has yet to be included in the Crystal Palace squad since arriving at Selhurst Park, with the 27-year-old having contracted Covid soon after making the move from Stoke, which meant he was required to self-isolate from the squad, per [The Independent](https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/premier-league/crystal-palace-news-jack-butland-coronavirus-positive-test-epl-b1254290.html).

In Butland’s absence, Stephen Henderson has been Vicente Guaita’s deputy in the Palace squad, but it has now emerged that the 27-year-old could return to first team contention for Hodgson’s side after the [club’s official Twitter account](https://twitter.com/CPFC/status/1323689091335159820) shared an image of him returning to training.

### **Read Crystal Palace verdict**

Butland’s return to involvement would be a major boost for Hodgson’s side, with the ‘keeper an important option to have as backup to the dependable Guaita. The 27-year-old has plenty to prove after he endured a miserable campaign last term with Stoke, [conceding an average](https://www.sofascore.com/player/jack-butland/98448) of 1.6 goals per game before losing his place in the starting line-up.

The England international has been among one of the most highly-rated shot-stoppers in the Premier League in the past, and was described as [‘excellent’](https://www.skysports.com/watch/video/sports/9961383/hughes-praises-8216excellent8217-butland/more/6) by his former manager Mark Hughes. He recorded six clean sheets and averaged 4.1 saves per game ([Sofascore](https://www.sofascore.com/player/jack-butland/98448)) despite the Potters’ poor defensive record in 2017/18.

It is unlikely that he would be able to immediately take the number one spot, but having worked with him with England, Hodgson – who handed him most of his [nine caps](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/jack-butland/nationalmannschaft/spieler/128899) – is aware of the qualities that he possesses and he could therefore decide to offer him a chance in the team over the coming weeks as the fixture list piles up around the festive period.