Glen Whelan hopes he won't be axed by Stoke City after defeat to Blackburn.

The midfielder told The Sentinel: "Since coming back in, I have been working hard to try to keep my spot. I know if I have a bad game and don't put in the right shift that there are people there coming to take my spot.

"I just have to keep working hard, keep my head down, and hopefully, I will keep my place. But there are many players that want to get in.

"After getting beaten here the manager will have to think about what he is going to do. But we will work hard during the week and hopefully get the right result."