Out-of-favour Rory Delap is hoping he can win back his place in Stoke's starting line-up on a regular basis. Delap returned to the team for Monday's defeat to Birmingham as Glenn Whelan and Salif Diao were suspended, and the 33-year-old is keen to continue.

"I understand why I've dropped down to the substitutes' bench recently," he said on the club's official website.

"I haven't been playing well enough. It's as simple as that.

"But I was happy with my performance against Birmingham and I hope that I can now build upon that going into the New Year."