Matteo hopes for Stoke chance

Matteo: Stoke hope

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Veteran defender Dominic Matteo is hoping to earn a second chance with Stoke.

The former Liverpool, Leeds and Blackburn centre-back was released at the end of last season, but manager Tony Pulis has allowed him to return for pre-season training.

Matteo was club captain at the Britannia Stadium last season, but failed to feature for the Potters after sustaining a foot injury in November.

With Stoke preparing for their first-ever season in the Premier League, Matteo is eager to be involved.

He told the Stoke Sentinel: "If something comes of it here then brilliant. Who would turn down that chance if it came around? You would have to be daft.

"But first and foremost I have come here to work hard.

"I have missed last season though a bad injury and I have come to work hard and see what happens.

"I am up for a challenge wherever it may be. If it is here, then great, but I will be up for it wherever it is."

Tough

Matteo remains confident that he can perform at the highest level having spent the majority of his career in the top-flight.

He said: "You always believe you can. I have not played in there for a couple of years. But when I played there a couple of years ago I felt I held my own, so if I did get the chance again then brilliant.

"Ask any of the boys at the club and they will all be really excited to get the first game in the Premier League.

"It is a tough league with a lot of players and has even improved since I last played in there."