Bardsley happy with Stoke form and not thinking of move

Mark Holmes
Phil Bardsley: Not looking to leave Stoke City on loan

Phil Bardsley hopes to see out his contract at Stoke City and has not yet considered a loan move despite his lack of first-team opportunities.

Bardsley has made only one appearance in the Premier League this season, with Glen Johnson establishing himself as Stoke’s first-choice right-back since joining the club in the summer.

“It’s difficult because everyone wants to play, but the team is doing very well at the minute and we’ve got a big squad,” Bardsley told The Sentinel.

“I’ve just got to train properly and show the right attitude, which I’m doing, and hope my chance comes.

“I signed a three-year contract (in 2014) and I’d like to see that out, but you never know in football.

“I’ve not really thought about going out on loan, to be honest. I had a chat with the manager, but that didn’t crop up in conversation.

“But I don’t want to sit there and just pick my wages up either, that’s not what I’ve ever been about. It’s about being patient and doing anything you can to improve.”

While Bardsley has found his chances in the Premier League restricted, he has started all three of Stoke’s Capital One Cup ties, helping the club into the quarter-finals.

He was sent off for a second bookable offence late on in their fourth-round win over Chelsea on October 27 but has been happy with his performances in the competition.

“It was a late challenge deserving a second yellow card, but I thought I performed well, especially second half,” he said.

“It was probably tired legs for me towards the end because I hadn’t played much. I enjoyed the night, I was just disappointed to get sent off.

“I watched it (the penalty shootout) from the tunnel and they were brilliant penalties.

“Conceding an equaliser in the 90th minute was criminal against such good opposition, but the lads did terrific to get through on penalties.”

Bardsley is now hoping for another start in next Tuesday’s quarter-final against Sheffield Wednesday.

“Personally, I feel my form in the cup games has been very good and hopefully I can take that into the Sheffield Wednesday game if the manager selects me,” he added.

“They will bring four or five thousand, so it will be a hostile night, but one we’ll enjoy.

“I was fortunate enough to get to the final with Sunderland a couple of years ago and I’d love to emulate that with Stoke.”