Stoke City defender Ryan Shotton expects to return from his loan at Barnsley in January.

Shotton was mentioned as a potential starter for Stoke for the beginning of the season.

"It was so surreal for me when there was talk of me playing because I am a 20-year old from Stoke, and it was hard to believe," he told Stoke's website.

"It was unbelievable really just to be in contention and I had a great opportunity in the summer to impress the manager. Hopefully I did that, and now my next target is to continue to do that, whether it be next year or in January when I come back. I would love to play for Stoke in the Premier League and that is my dream."