Stoke midfielder Tom Soares is keen to stay at the Britannia Stadium but accepts he may have to look elsewhere for regular first team football. He told the Stoke Sentinel: "Going on loan helped me. I went to Charlton, did well and got some confidence back. Hopefully, I can take that into this season.

"I want to stay and fight for my place, but if I am in the same situation again, then myself and the manager will have to sit down and see where my future lies.

"Every player wants to be playing. But I am the only person who can put that right and I am looking forward to it."