Glenn Whelan has expressed an ambition to end his career at Stoke City.

The 30-year-old midfielder is out of contract with the Potters in the summer and has reportedly courted interest from Sunderland and Swansea City.

However, the Republic of Ireland international, who has been used sparingly by Mark Hughes this season, is hopeful that he can earn a contract extension.

"I will be just keeping my head down and working as hard as I can to get back in the team, and see where it takes me," he told reporters. "That has done all right for me since I've been at Stoke so I'm sure I'll be okay come the end of the season.

"I would definitely like to stay. I have always enjoyed coming in for training and pulling on the red and white jersey. That's no different now. It's difficult because I'm not in the team at the moment.

I haven't actually sat down with the manager or anyone on the board, so where the stories have come from of late I'm not sure. They haven't come from me. If we can get something sorted out, it's not me wanting to leave. As long as I have a chance of playing, I'll be doing all I can to spend the rest of my career here."

Whelan, who has started seven Premier League games this season, arrived at the Britannia Stadium from Sheffield Wednesday in 2008.