Stoke manager Paul Lambert claims Jack Butland can rival Manuel Neuer as best goalkeeper in world

PAUL LAMBERT heads into his first match as Stoke boss backing Jack Butland to rival Manuel Neuer as the world’s number one No 1.

While Neuer’s broken foot has restricted the Bayern Munich keeper to just four appearances this season, Butland has shipped 40 goals in 21 games with only two clean sheets.

But Lambo has total faith in his stopper and claimed the 24-year-old, who had been repeatedly linked with Liverpool, is going Neuer-where — except up the table.

Lambert said: “Jack is one of the best keepers around — not just in England but in Europe.

“I can’t stop speculation but there is absolutely no way he is going anywhere in January, no chance.

“I have spoken to the owners and there’s no way that could happen.

“We need everybody, we certainly need our best players to perform to the level they can.”

At the start of the season Butland would have been most people’s tip to replace Joe Hart in England’s World Cup line-up.

Once new West Ham chief David Moyes demoted Hart to the bench, the path should have been clear for Butland.

But Stoke’s appalling stats as the worst defence in the Premier League undermined his claims and opened the door for Everton’s Jordan Pickford. Lambert, though, believes once he sorts out their defence Butland will return to the fore.

Former Borussia Dortmund midfielder Lambert, 48, frequently doubles up as a TV pundit covering the Bundesliga and is perfectly placed to compare Butland to Neuer.

Lambert said: “Neuer has been one of the best in the world for years, with his hands and his feet.