Norwich goalkeeping coach and former Barnsley stopper Dave Watson advised highly-rated keeper Jack Butland to join David Fox at his old club in a bid to get regular first team action after a frustrating move to Stoke.

Butland sought advice from England goalkeeping coach Watson who was a major formative influence in their time together at Birmingham before making a loan switch to Oakwell. The 20-year-old left St Andrews in the summer but has found himself unable to dislodge Stoke's first choice Asmir Begovic.

'I know what a great club Barnsley is and I told him that. It is ironic that he is one of the 'keepers I work with for England and now he will be playing for my hometown club,' said Watson. 'Jack rang me and I told him it would be tough following in the footsteps of one the greatest goalkeepers of all time in myself.

'Seriously, he is a fantastic lad and a great prospect but he needs to be playing games and Barnsley is a good move for him.

'He has got an unbelievable talent and temperament and he could be one of the great goalkeepers. It would be great if Barnsley proved to be a massive part of his development.

'He will give his all to get Barnsley out of the situation they are in now. It might take him one or two games to get to his best but, when he does, the Barnsley fans will love him because they love players who give everything and that is exactly what Jack does. He won't see it as a short-term fix to get him in the Stoke team. He will totally focus on Barnsley for the time that he is there.'