Stoke City captain Andy Griffin says it would be "a sin" if former club Newcastle United are relegated.

Griffin told the Evening Chronicle: "I had six and a half fantastic years up there, and I think a lot of the supporters, the club and the area, and the man in charge now.

"I have strong feelings for the club, and I hope they are not relegated, along with Stoke City. I would love both clubs to stay up. It is a massive game for us, as we are at home, and it is a huge game for Newcastle as well as they have not got the points on the board.

"It would be a sin if Newcastle were relegated. We were favourites to be relegated from the start of the season, and we have been underdogs in more or less every game we have played.

"We can be proud of what we have achieved to date - and to stay up would be as big an achievement as getting promoted."