Stoke City's England goalkeeper Jack Butland is ready to make a delayed return after eight months out following surgery to repair a fractured ankle.
The 23-year-old, capped four times by his country, missed Euro 2016 after being injured in England's 3-2 win over Germany in Berlin in March.
He was kept sidelined for two further months after more surgery in September.
But he is set to feature for Stoke's Under-23 side in Friday's Premier League Cup tie at Reading.
"That's the plan," said Potters manager Mark Hughes. "He's trained for a couple of weeks and he's ready for a game.