Liverpool midfielder Jay Spearing says he can handle the physical nature of Carling Cup opponents Stoke City.

The diminutive midfielder insists he would be up for the challenge and claims his size wouldn't be an issue facing a powerful Potters unit.

"It has been a mixed season for me so far," Spearing told Liverpoolfc.tv.

"With the new players that have come in I haven't had as many chances as I would have liked, but at the end of the day it's down to me to keep working hard every day in training and show the manager I deserve a chance when the time comes.

"I have to look at the positive side of things. The boss has put me on the bench for every Premier League game so far and I have played in the Carling Cup games, so I can't complain about that.

"I've got to do everything I can in training to show the boss I am ready if he needs me to play against Stoke.

"If I do get the chance to play it will be a massive game for me. They have a lot of six foot plus lads in their team and it's a chance for me to show that I can be put up against anyone, of stature and size, whoever, and do a good job for the team.

"If we get the ball down and play the football we are capable of then we can cause them a lot of problems."