Stoke City defender Andy Wilkinson admits he pinches himself sometimes when considering the success he's had in his first Premiership season.

The 25-year-old home-grown talent has exceeded all expectations, his own included perhaps, after nailing down a regular place at right-back since the turn of the year to stave off competition from skipper Andy Griffin and on-loan Stephen Kelly.

"I've put a lot of hard work in," he told The Sentinel, "and hopefully it's now paying off.

"It's a bit surreal when you look back at a game and realise who you've been playing against, especially if my Dad has Match Of The Day on the telly. But during games I feel comfortable."