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Asmir Begovic: Expects to still be a Sto
Asmir Begovic is expecting to still be a Stoke player once Thursday night's transfer deadline has passed - and would welcome competition from fellow goalkeeper Jack Butland should the youngster join from Birmingham.
Press Association Sport understands the Potters are interested in Butland, the 19-year-old England international who has been linked with various Barclays Premier League clubs.
With reports on Wedensday suggesting Butland had turned down a move to Chelsea because he did not want to sign for a club where he would not have a realistic prospect of playing regular first-team football, news that Stoke are looking at him would appear to raise questions about the future of their current first-choice stopper Begovic.
The Bosnia international has been linked with the likes of Manchester United and Liverpool, but he told Sky Sports News on Thursday: "As far as I know (I am staying at Stoke), yes.
"I'm in for training today so I'm looking forward to staying and looking forward to the game at the weekend (Saturday's league trip to Arsenal).
"I don't see anything happening now. I think that time's passed. I'm just concentrating on what I need to do here."
On the prospect of Butland moving to Stoke before the January transfer window closes at 11pm this evening, Begovic added: "(I'm) looking forward to it.
"If he comes in he's another great talent.
"Obviously we have a good group of goalkeepers already here and it'll be good to have the competition around.
"I would welcome him if he comes, for sure, he's a big talent and I'm sure he'd make us better."
Stoke, who are not commenting on reports they have lodged a formal bid for Butland, also have goalkeepers Thomas Sorensen and Carlo Nash on their books.Meanwhile, the Potters remain hopeful their proposed signing of United States winger Brek Shea from Major League Soccer outfit FC Dallas will be completed before the deadline.
The Staffordshire club announced earlier this week that they had reached agreement with Dallas over the transfer of the 22-year-old, who has passed a medical and took part in Stoke's training session this morning.
There are still work permit issues to be concluded, though, with an appeal hearing on the matter taking place this afternoon.
Another player who trained with the Potters on Thursday is striker Peter Crouch, who they had received an enquiry from QPR about.
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