VIDEO: Butland believes keeping busy with Barnsley can help secure Rio ticket

The 20-year-old opted to join the Reds – who have the leakiest defence in the Football League having conceded 27 goals in 11 games – on a three-month loan after being left on the sidelines at Premier League Stoke City.

But Butland believes his busy spell in the Oakwell rearguard can thrust him back in the spotlight and give England coach Roy Hodgson a nudge as he compiles his 23-man squad for the World Cup finals.

Butland – the current Under-21 captain – has already tasted playing for the senior side; he became the youngest England goalkeeper when he made his debut against Italy last year aged 19 years and 158 days.

Now the former Birmingham City goalkeeper is determined to be on the plane to Brazil next June.

“Rio is the target,” said Butland. “The main reason for me to come here was to play games, get back in the spotlight.

“I understand it’s going to be difficult to get to Rio unless I am playing, and playing well.

“When the loan period finishes in January I will have a look at the situation after that.

“Hopefully, my performances here can trigger a loan move to the Premier League which will really help me put a marker down for the World Cup.

“That’s been my target from a few years back – can I get to the World Cup in Rio? That’s still my target for this season.

“I had a few options and Barnsley came out and made it clear they wanted me in. It’s certainly a challenge and will help me develop more than any other (offer).”

While Butland has not been on the winning side in his first three Reds games, he has seen enough to make him believe Barnsley can climb away from the Championship drop zone.

Click on the PLAY button at the top to hear David Flitcroft preview this weekend’s game against Middlesbrough

“I have enjoyed it. They are a great bunch of lads and very enjoyable in the changing room,” said Team GB’s goalkeeper at last year’s 
Olympics in London.

“It’s good being back on the pitch, playing games.

“It’s been a good start for me so far and hopefully we can turn our good performances into points.

“I was pulling my hair out, I needed to get out and play games. It’s the best way for me to improve, I was dying to get out.

“It’s a challenge to come here and try to help out Barnsley, and in turn it will be good for me.

“We are at the bottom of the table, and it’s a difficult place to come and help out. But it’s a challenge and somewhere I am keen to put my stamp on.

“I might get more to do than if I went somewhere higher in the league, but for me that’s better, there are more decisions for me to make, more saves for me to make.

“Also, I can help use my experience to try and minimise those things and help Barnsley get back up to the table.

“At the end of the three months I think it will be much more satisfying to get this team out of the drop zone than it would to be around the play-offs.

“I needed to get games, not just to improve, but to keep my international stuff going. To make sure I am in the best form and condition to help keep clean sheets for the Under-21s and help win games.

“No one can see me play if I am not playing. I can’t make any impression on anyone if I am sat on the bench. That was the most important thing, to keep in the public eye.”

Butland returned to Oakwell on Wednesday after leading the 
Under-21s to two easy wins, against San Marino and Lithuania.

He claims he never had a save to make in either game, but is expecting a busier time tomorrow when Middlesbrough are the visitors to Oakwell after a two-week international break.

“It’s always amazing to go away with your country and play for England,” he said.

“We knew we probably were going to face two sides who weren’t going to cause us many problems, but we had to be professional about it.

“We had to make sure we applied ourselves in the right way, and we did.

“San Marino was a horrible side to play against, they offered no attacking threat to us whatsoever. They just stuck 10 men behind the ball.

“It was up to us to move the ball quickly and break them down, which took a while.

“In the end it could have been any number, but was a solid 4-0 win.

“Tuesday, against Lithuania, they offered a bit more going forward which we cancelled out, and we scored five well-worked goals.

“There were plenty of positives to take from it and two clean sheets to take into this weekend.

“I didn’t have a shot to save, but I don’t mind that. It means the team is playing well and defending well.

“If I am not getting anything to do that is a good sign and I will take that any day.

“Being captain, I was very proud and honoured to captain my country and hope to carry that on into the next few internationals.”

With Luke Steele ruled out with a back injury, Butland plays 
tomorrow, but he is not complacent of a first-team shirt.

“I don’t expect just to walk into a team anywhere,” he stressed. “If that was my attitude I probably wouldn’t be where I am.

“My attitude is to fight for every opportunity, every position, and every chance I can. I know if my motivation is right, and I am performing and playing well, then I know it’s going to be very difficult for the manager not to pick me.”

With back-to-back home games against Middlesbrough and Sheffield Wednesday to come, Butland knows it is imperative bottom-of-the-table Barnsley utilise the Oakwell advantage.

“At home, it’s got to be a fortress when you are at the bottom of the league,” he said. “You have got to be able to pick up something each time. From that you can build confidence, momentum, and take it into away games.

“That’s certainly something we are looking to do this weekend.

“Our performances have been encouraging, especially the Reading one the last time we played at home – that was a very good performance. We were probably unlucky not to win the game.”