Tony Pulis 'to help' Danny Higginbotham leave Stoke City

Stoke City boss Tony Pulis has insisted that he will not stop Danny Higginbotham from leaving the club.

The 33-year-old, who is currently on loan at Ipswich Town, is not part of Stoke's long-term plans and has admitted a desire to join the Championship club on a permanent basis.

"He's a great lad, a great ambassador for this club and one of the bedrocks it has been built on," Pulis said in The Sentinel.

"But I understand his wish to be playing, especially at this stage of his career, so if I can help him I certainly will. We should never forget the contribution made by Danny, both on and off the field, and I certainly won't."

The defender made just five appearances for Stoke last season.