Stoke City midfielder Michael Tonge is staying on the sidelines over speculation that Sheffield United players will seek compensation from West Ham over the Carlos Tevez affair.

Tonge, who joined the Potters from United in the summer, told The Sentinel: "I am not entirely sure what's going on with the West Ham thing. I am a Stoke City player now and I am trying to help us do well this season.

"But my thoughts on the Sheffield United-West Ham thing are that if the club is paid then that is basically saying something was wrong. They wouldn't be giving them £30m for nothing.

"Sheffield United lost out, as did the players, and so did a lot of people. Time will tell what will happen, but it was a messy situation which should have been sorted out some time ago.

"They tried to brush it under the carpet, but it is only right for the game and those involved that this shouldn't happen."