He may be one of the brightest goalkeeping prospects in the game - but Birmingham's Jack Butland told Soccer AM that he used to be pretty handy as an outfield player.
The 19-year-old become the youngest ever England gloveman when he made his international debut against Italy in August and has been persistently linked with a switch to one of the Premier League's leading clubs.
But the Bristol-born stopper revealed that he was pretty lethal in front of goal when he was younger - and has had the urge to get into his opponents' box on more than one occasion this season.
"I started off playing outfield as a striker and that didn't really stop until I was 14," said Butland. "I was playing up front in the first half and in goal in the second half up until then.
"I was alright as a striker and my claim to fame was getting a hat-trick in the first half for North Somerset and then keeping a clean sheet in the second half.
"A few times this season I have looked over at the gaffer (Birmingham manager Lee Clark) as to ask if I should go forward, but he hasn't even looked at me, so I'm guessing it's not on!"
However, when asked if he would soon be leaving Birmingham for bigger things, Butland said: "It's nice to have interest (from top teams) but it is just more motivation to keep doing well.
"I am happy where I am and I am playing a load of games and that is exactly what I need to do right now. I know where I am is the best place for me."
Confidence
Birmingham's 3-2 victory over Championship rivals Middlesbrough on Friday night was their first win in five and, despite sitting in the lower reaches of the division at present, Butland is adamant that Blues can still get into the promotion picture.
"We have the players to do really well but we haven't strung together performances that we know we can do," said the 'keeper, who spent time on loan at Cheltenham last term.
"Hopefully (the Middlesbrough win) is the start and will give us the confidence and the belief that we can beat the big teams at the top.
"Reading came from nowhere to gain automatic promotion last year, and if you string together performances you can jump quite a few places in this league."
Butland enjoyed a busy summer; he was part of England's 23-man party at Euro 2012 and then took his place in the British Olympic football squad - an experience he relished.
"My international debut for England was my highlight, but going to the Olympics was something I never thought I would be able to be part of," he added.
"It was the first time I played at Wembley and Old Trafford and being around the village with all the other athletes, like Tom Daley and Rebecca Adlington, was brilliant to be part of."
Hit the video in the top right-hand corner of the screen to hear more from Butland, including his thoughts on Lee Clark and Joe Hart.
