Stoke City

Stoke defender Andy Wilkinson hopes his man-of-the-match display against Portsmouth will persuade manager Tony Pulis to give him an extended run in the side. Wilkinson has made nine Barclays Premier League appearances - eight in the starting line-up - but has found himself sharing the right-back slot with \00A35million summer signing Robert Huth. "I'm ready whenever the gaffer picks me and I'm always going to give 110% for this club because I love it here," he said. "There is strong competition for places in the squad now and so it is important that I make the most of the opportunities I get in the hope that I can regain a regular place. I'm an out-and-out defender but if I can provide more of an attacking threat down the right then I am sure the gaffer will welcome it. Hopefully that might lead to me getting picked in the starting line-up more often."