Stoke City manager Tony Pulis has expressed his desire to keep defender Matthew Upson at the club, despite reported interest from Chinese side Shanghai Shenhua.

Upson, 32, has failed to make an impact at the Brittania Stadium since his summer move from West Ham United, making just five league appearances, leading to speculation over his future at the club.

However, Stoke reportedly turned down a loan move for the player from Southampton during the January transfer window, and Pulis insists that he still sees Upson as part of his plans.

"I want to keep Matty," said the Potters manager. "Matty had the opportunity to go out on loan during the window and we turned that down.

"One or two clubs wanted to take him on loan - there wasn't a permanent deal on the table for Matty."

Stoke currently sit 12th in the Premier League and face a trip to Fulham on Saturday,

Written by
Barney Corkhill