Whelan eyes Potters start

Midfielder hoping to break into Pulis' plans

By Carla Hilton   Last updated: 23rd October 2009   Subscribe to RSS Feed

Whelan eyes Potters start

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Glenn Whelan is hoping his performances for the Republic or Ireland will see him edge back into the Stoke starting line-up.

Whelan, 25, has dropped down the pecking order at the Britannia Stadium where competition for a starting berth is fierce.

Dean Whitehead's arrival in the summer partnered with a return to fitness for Salif Diao has made it difficult for others to get a look in for the early part of the season.

And Whelan, who has been forced to settle for a place on the bench in the Potters' last two games, accepts that he has to work hard to break back into the starting Xl.

"It's disappointing for myself and a good few others not to start every week, but I just keep working hard to make sure I'm ready and raring to go when my chance comes back around," he said.

Issue

Whelan may have done just enough to impress Potters boss Tony Pulis with his goalscoring performance against Italy last week.

He suffered a knock in that game and could only manage a substitute appearance at home to West Ham, but will be hopeful of having much more of an impact this time as Stoke travel to Spurs eager for a much better performance than they managed last season.

Stoke were 3-0 down after just 25 minutes when they last visited White Hart Lane, but Whelan insists his side will be much better prepared this time.

"We will be trying to do a lot better against them this time," he said.

"Our away form became an issue last season, but we've done a lot better this season. When Stoke are in town, our opponents now know they are in for a tough game.

"We have tightened up on our travels and, with a little bit of luck, we could have won at Bolton and Everton in our last two away games. Our squad is stronger and consequently our team is stronger.

"Spurs are looking to break into the top four and they are a very good side, but we see everybody as beatable."

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