Monday 21 May 2012 17:16, UK
Birmingham goalkeeper Jack Butland says his two loan spells with Cheltenham were a key stepping stone in his career development.
The 19-year-old has represented England at Under-21 level and also at the Under-20 World Cup, but believes making 24 first-team appearances for the Robins this season were of greater value in his footballing education. Butland, who was denied the chance to play for Cheltenham in the League Two play-off final at Wembley after being recalled by the Blues just before the end of the campaign, told the Birmingham Mail: "In terms of helping my career and getting me ready, going to Cheltenham Town was a massive experience. "In the loan spell before Christmas we seemed to be winning all the time. In the second spell, it was more difficult for us. "Because it was more of a struggle we had to dig in, be strong about it and when you go through some adversity and made some mistakes, you learn from it. "For me, just being part of a squad day in, day out, travelling together, preparing for competitive games, it's something I've not really had before."