Stoke City have handed Andy Wilkinson a new contract while he makes a recovery from a serious injury.

Wilkinson waved an emotional goodbye from Stoke City at the end of last season following 15 years with the club.

However, he has been unable to find a new club and in a wonderful gesture, Stoke have decided to hand the 30-year old a short term contract till December 31st, 2015 to help in his recovery process.

Confirming the contract offer to Wilkinson, Stoke released the following statement: "Stoke can confirm that Andy Wilkinson has been given a contract until December 31, 2015 to enable him to regain full fitness with the support of the club's medical staff after sustaining an injury last season."