MORTON goalkeeper Jamie Butler admits that he jumped at the chance to answer Anton McElhone’s SOS call after penning a six-month contract until the end of the season.

The 28-year-old former England ‘C’ international believes that the opportunity presented to him at Cappielow gives a fresh start as he looks to thrive in the Championship.

The former Tottenham youngster and Sutton United stopper hopes that he can put his injury woes behind him and become a regular fixture between the sticks for Morton as he looks to make strides on and off the park.

He told the Tele: “I knew the gaffer from when I was at Spurs sort of around the age of 18.

“I went back about three or four years later and trained with them again and we’ve always got on well.

“We’ve always seen eye to eye and seen things in the same way and he got in touch out the blue and asked about my situation.

“He knew I was at Sutton the best part of the last three years. He knew I’ve not played but I was honest and said that I’m ready to go after a long term injury and was biding my time until the right offer came along and get myself in the right condition.

“It works out well for both of us, I can hopefully bring some experience to the goalkeeping department, take some sessions as well as taking part in them and then carry that on into the dressing room.

Former Spurs keeper joins Morton

“Then once I’m ready to go I can push for some minutes in the first team and I think that that’s some good competition for the goalkeepers.

“It’s a good opportunity for a fresh start for me after coming back from an injury like I’ve had where I ruptured the ligaments in my ankle. It was a totally freak accident.

“It was a big surgery but in the last year I’ve been working my backside off to get back fit and Anton has provided me with a perfect opportunity to show what I’ve got.

“Obviously I’m taking the sessions, but I know that when I feel ready to play then I’ll be chomping at the bit to do so.

“It just works well and I can’t wait to get going out of my comfort zone in a new league and new country.

“I played the best part of four or five seasons in the National League and I’ve still got the ambition to play higher, I’m only 28.

“I still have that hunger to do well and constantly improve. I’ve come back from a long injury before and really kicked on, so I hope that I can do the same here, again work my backside off and earn a contract for next season.”

Butler revealed that he takes great pleasure in proving the stereotypes of a goalkeeper wrong.

Standing at under six foot, the shot stopper insists that the grand old comment of not being tall enough only pushes him on further.

He said: “I really take pride in being a small goalkeeper, as funny as it sounds.

“I thrive off people telling me I’m not big enough and that’s what not necessarily drives me, because I do it for myself, but I’ve had it time and time enough off people saying ‘oh, he’s not big enough'.

“I’ve played a lot of games in the Conference and that’s traditionally one of if not the most physical leagues.

“The height thing is in the back of my head, it’s irrelevant.

“I make up for it by talking my way through games, I make myself a presence in more ways than one and try to put out fires before they’ve started.

“I hope that I can have that presence behind the back four that gives them that calmness to let them focus on their jobs and play as a sweeper 'keeper if I have to.”