Steve Simonsen is hoping Tony Pulis will hand him an opportunity to shine in the Premier League this season.
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Steve Simonsen is hoping Tony Pulis will hand him an opportunity to shine in the Premier League this season.
The keeper is yet to feature for Stoke in their opening three top flight fixtures, with summer signing Thomas Sorensen currently the manager's favoured choice between the sticks.
However, with the Denmark international currently struggling with a back problem, which threatens to rule him out of World Cup qualifying action for his country against Portugal on Wednesday, Simonsen could be handed a starting role against former club Everton this weekend.
Honest
"From a personal point of view, I hope he isn't fit, as would anyone who wants to play," the 29-year-old shot-stopper told the
Sentinel.
"We'll just have to see what happens come the weekend, but if I'm needed then I'm ready and raring to go for that first match of the season.
"Leaving Stoke never crossed my mind, to be honest. The club only has myself and Thomas, so I don't think it was a viable option anyway.
"I'm more than happy to stay here and fight for my place. I certainly don't want to play anywhere but the Premier League, especially after working so hard to get here.
"You've got to give it a fair crack of the whip. I will see how it goes until the end of the season. Then, if I'm still not in the team, I'll take it from there. But for now, I've got no interest in moving away from this club."
Relationship
Simonsen also confessed to the difficulty faced by goalkeepers when it comes to forming a genuine friendship with their rivals for the No. 1 jersey.
"It is difficult when you know someone is going to come into the club to try to take your place. You're not going to be best of friends," he added.
"But it is a professional relationship. On the training ground you will work with each other to get the best out of each other. And on a match day you will work together for the team."
