Stoke City: Delap set to extend stay with new deal
STOKE war-horse Rory Delap looks set to be offered another 12-month contract extension to take him to nearly 38 years of age.
And manager Tony Pulis says he wants to keep Delap at the club when his playing days are over.
The 35-year-old midfielder, who has made more starts for Stoke than any other player under Pulis since he first joined from Sunderland on loan in 2006, still has 18 months left on his current contract.
But Pulis said ahead of today's trip to Liverpool (3pm): "We would like to give Rory another year because I think he deserves it. He's been an outstanding part of this football club and a good kid.
"There's one or two who I wouldn't mind sticking another year on to the end of their contracts."
Delap has so far started 178 times for Stoke under Pulis to underline his value to the City boss. And Pulis added: "He's a player I'd like to keep at the football club after he's finished playing in some shape or form.
"He's got a great way about him and has so much respect in the dressing room.
"Everything you ask him to do, he does to his best, and he was outstanding again on the pitch at Gillingham last week."
Delap is vying for a 179th start at Anfield this afternoon in a Stoke team threatened with several absentees.
Pulis revealed there would be late decisions on Jonathan Woodgate, Ryan Shotton and Marc Wilson after they were laid low by niggles.
But Thomas Sorensen, Matthew Etherington and Peter Crouch, against one of his many old clubs, are all pencilled in to return to the starting 11 after being rested in the FA Cup.
Nigerian-born striker Michael Uchebo will not be signed by Stoke after being given the once over in training at Clayton Wood this week.
The 6ft 6ins 21-year-old, dubbed the African Crouch because of his height, wanted a £1m move from Dutch club VVV Venlo.
But Pulis, pictured below, said: "He's gone back to Nigeria – I think one of his parents wasn't well – but we won't be taking him."
He also said Stoke would have to sell before buying in the January transfer window as they take a back seat over the next seven days.
"We will have to move people on first," he stressed. "I think we will ride it for the next week and see what develops.
"There might be three or four clubs like QPR and Chelsea who will do business, but the rest of us will see what happens."
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by Jayenne
Tuesday, January 17 2012, 11:52AM
“PS Great that Delap has been given this - fantastic servant to the club as has been Whelan. Will make great back up also when in due course more dynamic mids come in.”
by Jayenne
Tuesday, January 17 2012, 11:23AM
“I dont understand the contradiction that occurs on here sometimes. The same people that criticise some players for not being able to pass it around then criticise Pulis for not instructing players to pass it around more? He needs the personnel to be able to do this. He has started with a solid defence, good winders, good forwards, now he needs those central players that can pass it a bit but they are at a premium so perhaps he is playing to our strengths at the moment until we can get someone else in.
As for Barton, I wouldnt touch him with a barge pole. Good player but an idiot and an ego. We already have that in Pennant. We dont want to ruin what we have taken time to build and which guarantees us points in the year - a good dressing room attitude.”
by Mike173765
Tuesday, January 17 2012, 12:13AM
“Yes I know what you mean and they are great to watch but teams will fiqure them out and once you stop them playing their passing game they have no plan B, rather like us but the other way around (if you get my meaning). I think most people agree they arn't going to go down this season but it wouldn't surprise me if they have a very poor next season once managers fiqure out how to prevent their system working.”
by alan10one
Monday, January 16 2012, 11:39PM
“Mike173765 Yes good comment but what I was saying is Swansea where still passing the ball in neat triangles from the back 3 mins into added time at 3-2. It was very good on the eye. OK Stoke are in 8th but sometimes our Football is dross and I don't go to away games anymore due to falling asleep its so boring. Hoof to them right back at us.Liverpool set up with a poor system on Sat and were very poor but we had one shot all day and no crisp attacking movements worth noting. Great we are 8th but when we are away I will except 8th and watch milk go sour instead.”
by Mike173765
Sunday, January 15 2012, 11:58PM
“Good for Delap! He certainly deserves it, he put in a great performance the other day against Liverpool also.
Alan10one do you mean the Arsenal team who are a former shadow of themselves and have conceeded a huge amount of goals this season (more than Blackburn?) We've beaten them when we've had to deal with Fabrigas, Nasri and Van Persie in the same team and when they didnt have a hugely depleteted defence. Worth remembering.”
by alan10one
Sunday, January 15 2012, 11:32PM
“Well I watched a team who cost next to nothing play some great football today, the way it should be played and not only beat Arsenal but out passed and out moved them all day. I do hope TP was watching.”
by MrDAP
Sunday, January 15 2012, 8:20PM
“Knob, where have you got this idea that DJ has got a little idiotic group as you put it?”
by soccerfoot11
Sunday, January 15 2012, 2:16PM
“johnson, do you know i dont care what morons like you have to say ?? and the only people that "have a go at me" are you and the rest of the idiots in your little, simple minded group !”
by alan10one
Sunday, January 15 2012, 12:24PM
“I for one appreciate what he has done for us and indeed he was inspirational in getting getting us promoted from the championship to the premiership. Then all the talk in the premiership was about his throw which has been magnificent for us. He is now getting on a bit and if getting a new contract it should be a short one. We really need to be looking for fresh talent to fill the midfield and not rely on old soldiers.”
by jackdawsson
Sunday, January 15 2012, 10:44AM
“Delap's earned it. Also makes sense with TP's longer-term plans for him after he's finished playing.”