Stoke City midfielder Rory Delap hopes young teammate Ben Marshall joins former club Carlisle United on-loan next season.

Marshall impressed during a four-month loan stay at Carlisle last season and boss Greg Abbott is hoping to lure the talented 19-year-old winger back for another spell.

Delap told the News & Star: "You need games and competitive football when you're Ben's age and his time at Carlisle will have done him the world of good.

"If he was to go back to Carlisle it would be good for all three parties. Hopefully, he would get the chance to get more experience and, if he does well again, that would help Carlisle. If he's doing well for Carlisle and getting experience then that can only help Stoke as he is definitely one for the future.

"It's hard for lads at Premier League clubs to get their chance in the first team because there is so much pressure to win games. Ten years ago or more, teams were prepared to take more of a risk in throwing young lads in. I was lucky that I got the chance to start at Carlisle and progressed from there.

"I wouldn't have played as many games at 18 or 19 if I was at a Premier League club. Being at a lower league club helps you no end. The best thing is for young players at Premier League clubs to go out on loan to lower league clubs until they grow strong enough for the Premier League.

"I would tell anybody to go to Carlisle. Ben told me a couple of days before he was going to Carlisle and I told him he would love the place and that he should go and enjoy it."