Danny Pugh has put plans of asking away from Stoke City on the backburner.

He said: "Times have changed a bit for me.

"A month or so ago there was talk of me going out on loan but now I am back in the squad and getting matches.

"That has been good for me. At the start of the season I wasn't playing but now I am involved and that has been a real boost.

"I struggled for fitness a bit, but after a few games I have got myself back to the right level. That is hard to maintain when you can't get regular matches."