Whelan targeting new Stoke deal

Republic of Ireland midfielder Glenn Whelan has indicated he wants to stay with Stoke for the rest of his career.

Whelan, with the club since 2008, is out of contract next summer and on Thursday Potters manager Mark Hughes said an offer of a new deal has been made, which the Dubliner is yet to respond to.

Yesterday Whelan, who last started a Stoke game in early October, said: “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.