Stoke City are close to securing defender Ryan Shawcross to a new contract.

The Mirror says former Manchester United defender Shawcross is ready to sign a bumper four-year deal with Tony Pulis' Potters after negotiations last week.

Shawcross, who turned 22 yesterday, has been a revelation at the Britannia Stadium since a £1m move from United in January last year.

Liverpool and Spurs have watched the £10m rated centre-half regularly in the last 12 months while United boss Sir Alex Ferguson even agreed a buy-back clause with Stoke when he sold him.