Stoke City goalkeeper Lee Grant has surprised himself this season.

Grant, who recently passed 500 career games, had never even played in the Premier League before transforming himself from Derby's number three to Stoke's number one last Autumn.

“It's been an eye opener, but it's a move I've embraced," he reflected to The Sentinel. “The key for me is to not stand still and I think that's probably how I've ended up here in the first place - my reputation for working hard and wanting to improve myself.

“Key for me was setting the record straight with my old club and showing people that I did have what it takes to succeed at a high level.

“Beyond that initial burst of energy in those first few games, you then have to stabilise and be consistent at this level.

“The most pleasing thing for me is that I have shown a high level of consistency and I'm really looking forward to the future now."