Jermaine Pennant planning Stoke City stay

Jermaine Pennant has insisted that he has no intention of leaving Stoke City before the transfer window closes at the end of the month.

Speculation had linked the former Arsenal winger with Wigan Athletic following the arrival of Michael Kightly at the Britannia Stadium last week.

However, the 29-year-old has admitted that he is mystified by the reports.

"The fans might have been wondering if I might be going. I respect the fans a lot and said I would always be honest with them," he said. "If for one moment I was thinking of packing my bags, then I would tell them straight up but I have never said or indicated that I wanted to leave.

"The first I knew about the Wigan story was on Twitter when somebody asked if I was going. No-one spoke to me or my agent.

"I think it was just speculation because we'd just signed Michael Kightly."

Pennant joined the Potters from Real Zaragoza in 2010.