With the departure of last season’s regular Asmir Begovic to Chelsea earlier this month, Potters boss Mark Hughes has moved quickly to sign experienced stopper Shay Given from Aston Villa.
And the Irishman says that whilst he intends to help develop 21-year-old Butland’s game, he also wants to play as many games as possible for the Britannia Stadium club.
Asmir Begovic has left Stoke City for Chelsea this summer, leaving a spot open for Jack Butland or Shay Given
"I will try to help him but I want to play as well," said the former Newcastle United and Manchester City keeper.
"The competition will be healthy for Jack, for me, as well as Jakob Haugaard [a Danish keeper from FC Midtjylland who Stoke signed in the summer] and that's healthy.
"You need competition in every position. Squads have changed now from having two to three keepers, sometimes four decent keepers at the clubs.
"You need that, what with suspensions and injuries, you need strong back-up.
"But also you need strong competition from behind the scenes pushing hard, so the guy in the posts knows he needs to perform to keep his place."
Stoke are currently in Singapore for the Barclay’s Asia Trophy along with Premier League rivals Arsenal and Everton.
Given, 39, has joined up with his new squad-mates there after signing a two-year contract whilst Butland is set to return after being granted some extra time off following his involvement with England U21s in the Euro Finals earlier this summer.
And Potters boss Hughes is looking forward to seeing former Birmingham City star Butland develop further with the help of Given.
Shay Given has signed a two-year contract with Stoke City this summer
"Jack Butland is a young keeper of high promise that we've got lots of hopes for," revealed the former Wales and Blackburn Rovers boss.
"He's going to be an exceptional goalkeeper in the future and Shay can help that I'm sure.
"Jack is a quality keeper, an up-and-coming star in goalkeeping terms.
"I know Shay and I know what he can offer, he's obviously a very good keeper in his own right.
"Obviously we want good competition right across the goalkeeping group and we will certainly get that."
Stoke’s first game in the Asia Trophy takes place on Wednesday when they face Everton, whilst Arsenal take on a Singapore XI.
The winners and losers of both games will then play in the final games on Saturday.
