Liam Lawrence blames missing out on the World Cup to his dip in form at Stoke City.

Stoke's Republic of Ireland winger claims it took him a while to get over his country's controversial World Cup play-off defeat by Thierry Henry's France.

He said: "After the France game, I came back to Stoke and was in and out.

"It's just been one of those seasons, probably the worst since I've been at Stoke. But it's down to me now.

"I've got to keep my head down and try and stay in the team for the rest of the season."