Stoke City manager Mark Hughes has admitted that he cannot understand why Ryan Shawcross has been consistently overlooked by England manager Roy Hodgson.

The defender has made just one appearance for the Three Lions, which was in 2012 when he came on as a substitute in a friendly defeat against Sweden.

Stoke goalkeeper Jack Butland is now a regular in the England squad, but Hughes hopes that Shawcross can follow his teammate by becoming part of the international set-up.

"Why he isn't involved at England level, once again I have no idea," Eurosport quotes Hughes as saying. "Okay, they may look at the fact and say that he hasn't played enough football this season because of his injury, but even before that when he was performing exceptionally well he wasn't getting a look-in.

"Since I've been here he's been absolutely outstanding. There aren't many defenders like him in the game, I have to say.

"Obviously Jack Butland is involved in the England set-up, so maybe he will be able to put in a good word for him and he'll be involved in the next one. Don't hold your breath, mind."

England face Spain and France in friendlies within the next week.