Wednesday 2nd December 2009
Lawrence happy to stay with Potters
Liam Lawrence insists he is happy to stay at Stoke City after holding talks regarding his role at the club with manager Tony Pulis.
The midfielder has admitted that he started to question his future at the Britannia Stadium after struggling to force his way into Pulis' starting line-up.
Lawrence's appearance in the 0-0 draw at Blackburn Rovers last weekend was the first time he had started a Premier League game since the defeat by Manchester United in late September.
The Republic of Ireland international, who signed a new four-year contract in the summer, discussed the situation with Pulis and was pleased with his manager's response.
"I needed to know what his plans were and if there was a problem," Lawrence told The Sentinel. "I just wanted to clear the air and get his perspective on things.
"He said there was no problem, just keep working hard and my time would come.
"I've read stuff where people said we had fallen out, but that wasn't the case. He just chose his teams, I wasn't in them, and we'd done well because we were ninth in the league.
"When we are sat that high, I can't grumble. It is just a relief to be in the team."
He added: "I want to stay for the remainder of that contract and maybe longer.
"These are my best years now and I feel as though I am playing some of my best stuff.
"I said to the manager that I just want to be playing football for Stoke and to get that chance again.
"I'm happy here and always have been. But I'm not someone who can pick up my money and be happy getting splinters in my backside sitting on the bench."
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