by Michael Baggaley

STOKE defender Ryan Shawcross is desperately hoping for a second chance when the Potters travel to Manchester City on Sunday.

The 21-year-old hasn't started a Premier League game since the opening day of the season when he was part of the City side which shipped three goals in 13 minutes in a 3-1 defeat at Bolton.

Instead, he has had to wait patiently since then as Abdoulaye Faye, Ibrahima Sonko and Leon Cort have contested the two central defensive places.

However, Shawcross got on for the final 18 minutes of last Sunday's victory over Spurs having been selected on the bench ahead of Cort.

He now looks in pole position to start alongside Faye at Eastlands if Sonko fails to recover from the groin strain which forced him to limp off against Spurs.

Although Shawcross has played in the Carling Cup victories over Cheltenham and Reading, he is desperate for another taste of Premier League football.

He said: "It was just great to get back in the team and to be playing in front of a full stadium. It was also great to get a good reception.

"It's been tough not being in the team, but I have grown up a bit from last year when I wasn't in the squad. I've just had to work hard."

Several Championship clubs have been linked with a loan move for Shawcross, including Derby County, who went public on their interest.

However, Shawcross has accepted manager Tony Pulis's decision to keep him at the Britannia.

He added: "Straight from the off, the manager said nothing was going to happen with me. He said I was a Stoke City player and I was staying here. That was good to hear but, of course, I want to play.

"I have been working hard in training and that has paid off with getting back in the squad. Now, hopefully, I can get in the team."

Being a former Manchester United player, Shawcross has extra incentive to beat City. The Chester-born defender was also brought up as a United fan.

However, he says getting back into the Stoke side and helping them battle for precious points is far more important than getting one over the team from the blue half of Manchester.

He explained: "This is not just about beating Manchester City. Every game in the Premier League is tough. It doesn't matter who the game is against, it is just about getting points."