Stoke goalie Joe Bursik determined to shine against Leicester

The England U21 international played for Hednesford in the Northern

two seasons prior yet is presently among the high-rated goalkeepers in the league. 

He is bracing himself to confront the Foxes in Saturday's

third-round face-off at the bet365 Stadium. 

Bursik has a tally of seven clean sheets in 12 games since his loan spell at Doncaster has ended and made his England Under-21 debut during a 5–0 win over Albania at Molineux Stadium in November. 

"It's a mad roller-coaster in terms of how quickly it's happened," said Bursik, who was a loanee at Telford in 2019.

"The way I've come through has come quicker than expected but I wouldn't have it any other way. I'm so grateful for the loans, where I learned so much.

"The development I've made in the last couple of years was immense. I got to the point where I was always ready for the opportunity and now it's come I'm relishing it.

"I'm grateful for getting my chance and that reflects on the pitch.

"The way I went from the National League North to League One was a big jump. I've been thrown in the deep end now I'm in the Championship and given new challenges. I like to show I can rise to them."

The Potters

have been busy with different tournaments this season, arriving at the Carabao Cup quarter-finals before losing to Tottenham Hotspurs. 

However, Bursik is yet to play in the FA Cup but has affectionate recollections of the opposition as a Chelsea fan. 

The 20-year-old recalls Chelsea vs. Aston Villa 2010 semi-finals at Wembley while watching his role model Peter Cech.

“I remember being in the corner when (Didier) Drogba scored his goal, which he always did at Wembley,” he said.

“I’ve been to Stamford Bridge but the one at Wembley sticks out. I’ve still got a couple of pictures of me in my Chelsea strip with my scarf.

“If we can ever get there or get near that would be an unbelievable thing.

“It’s a great competition as well and there are a couple of non-league teams knocking about as well which is good to see. We’ve got belief we can do well – as we did in the Carabao Cup earlier in the season.”

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