Stoke City football chief John Rudge is delighted they secured defender Robert Huth to a new deal.

Rudge, a striker of occasional repute in his heyday, certainly prefers watching Huth from the safety of the stand these days.

"He is an exceptionally good character," said Rudge in The Sentinel. "His determination and his will-to-win means he is always somebody you would want on your side.

"As a player, he is strong in the air and strong in the tackle, and then there is the fact he's scored quite a few goals for us (17 to be precise).

"He is physically strong, determined and competes for every ball. He'll put his head in where others won't put their feet. "Extending his contract shows how far the club has gone and where it wants to be."