The 26-year-old former Manchester United youngster has struggled to hold down a place in Stoke's side, starting only 10 matches in the recently completed campaign.

He had been used at left-back in the final weeks of the season but was back on the bench for Sunday's last match - the 4-1 defeat at Arsenal - and only used as a second-half substitute.

That is progress on the start of the season, when he could not even get into the match-day squad at times, and he said: "I have two years left on my contract, I want to stay here and improve my career here.

"I wasn't playing at all earlier in the season and that wasn't nice but since Christmas things have picked up.

"Now over the summer I aim to keep myself fit and come back next season flying. I will be trying to get myself in the first team early on and really establish myself."