Lawrence eyeing Trap door

IRELAND winger Liam Lawrence has been holding talks with Stoke City manager Tony Pulis about his future mindful of the fact that Giovanni Trapattoni needs him playing first team football to retain his Republic place.

Lawrence scored his fist goal of the season on Saturday against Hull City in only his 13th Premier League start and the 27-year-old is disappointed by the amount of time he’s spent on the sidelines.

“I’ve had a very topsy turvy season,” admitted the Nottinghamshire born midfielder. “I’ve not done as well as I would have liked and I have been in and out of the side and it hasn’t helped. But I scored against Hull and it was a massive relief.”