Pugh played a crucial role in Stoke's promotion from the Championship last season, making 27 appearances following his move from Preston, but he is yet to start a game in the Premier League.

The 26-year-old has played twice in the Carling Cup to help the Potters into the quarter-finals, though, and got on the scoresheet in the 2-0 win over Rotherham in the last round.

However Pugh is disappointed not to have got more action and has been knocking on the door of his manager Tony Pulis for a chance in the first team. He feels that is unlikely as his team-mates continue to impress, though, and admits a January move could be in the offing.

He said: "We've got a lot of players here now and the manager has got an impossible job trying to keep everyone happy, but it's up to us not in the team to make it even harder for him.

"You have to believe in yourself and your own ability but there's not a lot more you can do other than train as hard as you can, keep yourself fit and focused and take your chance if it comes along.

"But I've only played two games so far this season and that's not enough for me. I need to play regular football at my age and I've spoken to the manager a couple of times about the situation here.

"I'm not content with being sat in the stands or on the bench, I just want to be playing, but that doesn't seem to be happening here so I'll just have to see what comes along in January."

Pugh was particularly upset not to be given a chance against his former club Manchester United last weekend, but the utility man remains fully behind his team-mates and feels the club is well placed to avoid relegation this season.

"It was disappointing not to be involved at Old Trafford," he said. "Especially after coming in for the cup game and doing well. Obviously I want the other lads to do well but I want to be a part of it myself and it's not a good thing when you're not.

"I want the best for the club, though, and I don't see why we can't stay in this division because we've had some tremendous results recently other than last week at United."

Pugh also reckons his side are getting less credit than they deserve and now hopes they can bounce back from last weekend's defeat with victory over West Brom on Saturday.

He added: "It doesn't really matter what other people think about us and if we're getting results, whether it be from long throws or set pieces, then it doesn't really matter.

"But we definitely don't get the credit we deserve at times. Just like last season people thought we were just a long ball team and that wasn't the case at all.

"West Brom is going to be a tough game for us but we had a few good results against them last season so hopefully we can again. It's a massive game on the back of last weekend too because we need to get back to winning ways."