Stoke City goalkeeper Jack Butland has admitted that he is disappointed that he will not have the chance to work with Michael Owen next season following the former England striker's announcement that he is to retire.

Butland, who rejoined Birmingham City on loan after agreeing to sign for Stoke, said that he hopes to learn as much as possible during the training sessions he has at Stoke.

"He is a fantastic player and he has proven over his career with his record that he is one of the best strikers that has ever played the game," Sky Sports News quotes Butland as saying.

"It is a disappointment that I won't get the chance to work with him next year. I am going to try to make the most of the time I get to spend training with him this season and take as much out of that as I can."

Owen scored 40 goals for England during his international career.