Stoke City chief executive Tony Scholes has revealed that the club is planning ahead for the long-term future in the Premier League and that is visible in the club's transfer dealings.

Scholes says it is important to continually strengthen the playing group in order to keep mixing it with England's best teams.

He told the Stoke Sentinel: "If you look at the deals we have done since Mark Hughes arrived then almost without exception they have been good deals and very good footballers. That's even though one or two might grab the headlines more than others.

"It's about making sure you are adding to the quality and improving all of the time, but we have also got a strong eye on making sure that we have got a depth of squad.

"We have to make sure that when we have injuries to the incredible scale we have had this year that the players are able to come in and do a good job - and the players who have come in this season have done an exceptional job.

"You also have to make sure that you are planning for next year and the years beyond.

"Signing Jack Butland to an extended contract is a statement that we are in the Premier League for the long term."