STOKE striker Richard Cresswell has rubbished speculation he wants to leave the club.

Some reports have suggested the 31-year-old is one of a group of fringe players who are unsettled by not playing regularly in the first team.

But after coming on as an 84th-minute substitute to help Stoke to Saturday's goalless draw at Wigan, Cresswell said he is fully committed to City's survival campaign.

He said: "I think people are going to write things when players aren't playing. They will stir up a few things, but we have a good team and a good squad. The manager is building for the future and I want to be part of that.

"Everyone wants to play and I am a player that has played a lot of football in the past.

"But I have to be patient. Ryan Shawcross was out of the team earlier on in the season, but has got himself back in the team and that is what I am looking to do."

Cresswell has made just two Premier League starts for City and eight substitute appearances.

He should get another start in Tuesday's Carling Cup tie at home to Rotherham, but in the meantime accepts Tony Pulis has to disappoint some players in the Premier League. He said: "It is my only chance to get out and play 90 minutes on Tuesday, so hopefully I will be able to do that and put in a good performance.

"It is tough, but I think that is what happens when you get promoted to the Premier League. The squad gets bigger.

"You don't have the option of loan deals as we did last season, so you have to have a bigger squad to cope with injuries. The squad will play its part and the manager is keeping everyone together for that reason."