Phil Bardsley wants Stoke City stay

Stoke City defender Phil Bardsley has insisted that he wants to stay at the club and fight for his place in the team.

The former Manchester United man has played just one Premier League game this season, with manager Mark Hughes preferring summer signing Glen Johnson at right-back instead.

Bardsley has said that he has spoken to Hughes about his future, but he is not thinking about leaving the Britannia Stadium.

"It's difficult because everyone wants to play, but the team is doing very well at the minute and we've got a big squad," Bardsley told the Uttoxeter Advertiser. "I've just got to train properly and show the right attitude, which I'm doing, and hope my chance comes.

"I signed a three-year contract and I'd like to see that out, but you never know in football. I've not really thought about going out on loan, to be honest. I had a chat with the manager, but that didn't crop up in conversation.

"But I don't want to sit there and just pick my wages up either, that's not what I've ever been about. It's about being patient and doing anything you can to improve."

Bardsley agreed a new three-year contract in 2014.