Ryan Shawcross insists he is not looking to join a bigger club and is content to remain at Stoke. Over the summer he was linked with the likes of Arsenal and Liverpool, while former club Manchester United were also reported to be keeping tabs on him.

However, Shawcross is currently in talks over a contract extension at the Britannia Stadium.

"I am very happy here," said Shawcross. "If I moved to a big club like Liverpool I might not play. "So my aim is to stay at Stoke and we're talking about a new contract right now.

"I have two years left after this one and we are hoping to sort it out for longer."

The 22-year-old has been backed to break into the England squad, but the centre-half is not worrying about building on his Under-21 appearances.

He added: "Of course it is a dream of mine to play for England, but I do not have sleepless nights thinking about it.

"I just concentrate on Stoke. If you start thinking you have to impress the England manager, then your game will go off."

Stoke boss Tony Pulis said: "Ryan always stays behind at training and does extra work because he is so determined to keep on improving as a player.

"He is a good listener, too, and one of his biggest attributes is that he has good pace for such a big lad.

"There is no limit to what he can achieve, and that includes playing for England in the World Cup."