Tuesday 21 July 2015 20:15, UK
Shay Given is excited by the prospect of the new season at Stoke City - even though he faces a fight to be the No 1 goalkeeper.
Given joined City this summer after leaving Villa but acknowledges that he will have a fight on his hands to usurp Jack Butland in the Stoke starting XI.
He told Sky Sports News HQ: "Obviously Jack has finished the season in great form and obviously it is the manager's decision. Of course I would love to play but if not then I will be there to support Jack.
"He's a fantastic young 'keeper, the U21 goalkeeper and captain and he has a huge future ahead of him. Whoever plays the most important thing is that we get the result for Stoke.
"The last couple of seasons you could say that Stoke have overachieved but you would always want to improve and there is a very good squad here with hopefully a couple more new faces to come in.
"The manager has done a great job but we would love to win a trophy and I am really excited about the new season. It is a good time to be a Stoke player – and to be a Stoke fan."
"We have just got back from Singapore and we had a good trip out there. It is a good way to get to know everyone and we had a couple of good games out there and we are all looking forward to the first game of the season now."
Given's former Villa team-mate Christian Benteke looks poised for a move to Liverpool but the Republic of Ireland goalkeeper reckons the Reds may have to change their style of play if they are to get the best out of their latest signing.
He said: "Christian Benteke is a class player, his goals were so important last year for keeping us in the division. Of course £32m is a lot of money but he does not come up with that price tag, it is the clubs themselves. Only time will tell if he is worth that money.
"If he scores the goals and gets them back into the Champions League then people will say it is money well spent.
"But Liverpool might have to change their style of play to suit him as he is more of a target man; but if Liverpool can get the ball to him in the box then I think he will get the goals."
