Stoke City defender Danny Higginbotham admits he gaffed quitting the club for Sunderland.

Higginbotham, who was speaking to fans at this week's meet-the-players evening, said: "The first time I came to talk to Stoke, I had a chat with the manager, who told me his plans for the club.

"I'd played here on a few occasions and always enjoyed it and the manager had sold it to me within 10 minutes.

"To this day I think it was the best decision I ever made. The worst decision was when I left. In hindsight, I missed a great season for Stoke.

"When I had the opportunity to come back here, there wasn't much thought needed.

"I don't think there was a time at Sunderland when I didn't miss being here. I don't think it is until you move somewhere else that you really appreciate where you were to start with."