The 25-year-old, who has been sidelined for three weeks with a quad injury, could have returned to take on the Bulldogs this week, but the club took a cautious approach given his extensive injury history.
Butler has played just 35 of 106 games since playing in the 2006 premiership as a 20-year-old, but he made an outstanding start to the 2011 season as a reliable half-back.
With West Coast still in contention to finish in the top four, Butler said he had no shortage of motivation as the club plans his return for next week.
"If I got injured in round 15 last year I'd be pretty shattered, to try and get back for one or two games it's just not worth it," Butler said.
"But this year I've got plenty to think about and it's made the rehab go a bit quicker. I won't say work harder otherwise 'Woosh' will think I was slacking off last year.
"I felt fine at training during the week, but unfortunately with my rich history of injuries they've decided to give me another week off and hopefully I'll be back playing somewhere next week."
Butler's shocking run with injury started in 2007, battling groin and hamstring injuries for the best part of two years. He managed to stay injury-free in 2009, before a facial fracture and an ankle injury restricted him to five games last year.
"The last couple of years I've really felt more unlucky than I have in the past," he said.
"In the past doing hammies and stuff I've always thought maybe I could have prevented them somehow.
"But I've come to the realisation that sometimes you don't have any say over what happens in terms of injuries so you just roll with the punches and keep going.
"I'm still around and we've still got finals to think about hopefully. You quickly realise that there's plenty still to play for."
West Coast was dealt another injury blow in the build up to Saturday's clash with the Western Bulldogs at Etihad Stadium, with key forward Josh Kennedy ruled out with an eye injury after a freak accident on Thursday.
Ruckman Nic Naitanui will also miss with general soreness, opening the door for 18-year-old ruckman Scott Lycett to make his debut.
Butler said Lycett was a fierce competitor who deserved his spot in the team.
"He'd probably be expecting when 'Nic-Nat' comes back into the side he might be out, so he has to do his best to play a really good game," Butler said.
West Coast players Mitch Brown and Jacob Brennan and inaugural Eagles captain Ross Glendinning joined Butler at East Fremantle Primary School on Friday as part of Planet Ark's Schools Tree Day.
Nathan Schmook covers West Coast news for afl.com.au. Follow him on Twitter: @AFL_NSchmook
