• Premier League

Pennant keen to stay with Stoke

Pennant could yet extend his contract beyond the 2012-2013 season © Getty Images

Enlarge

Related Links

• News: What They Said: Dalglish bemused by referee
  
• News: Quality of the league is not what it was - Woodgate
  
• News: This isn't Europe, we play hard but fair - Pulis
  

Jermaine Pennant has denied rumours of a rift between himself and Stoke City manager Tony Pulis and hopes to stay at the club for another two years.

The winger is set to enter the final year of his contract next season, but has an appearance-based clause that could extend his stay at the Britannia until 2014 and seems happy with life in Stoke.

"I am still here, no-one has said anything about leaving and I am not going to leave," said Pennant. "I'm going to return in July for pre-season training - although I'm not looking forward to that!

"I've still got another year on my contract and then another year kicks in after appearances, so I could eventually have two years left."

Pennant also addressed rumours that he had criticised Pulis after comments the 29-year-old made on Twitter in the wake of Stoke's 2-0 defeat by Wigan at the end of March.

He tweeted: "I can't score a free kick if there isn't one around the box. I played wing back today. I've never ever been a full-back in my life."

But while many interpreted the tweet as a slight on Stoke's tactics, Pennant said he was trying to explain to the fans how difficult an afternoon he had endured.

"In the Wigan game we didn't push on as much, the team were doing a lot of defending and so was I," he said. "My best position is pushing forward and getting crosses in, but we were on the back foot a lot and we didn't play the greatest football.

"When I said what I did, I meant I spent most of the game defending and playing as a wing-back. Someone wanted to make a story from it, but the gaffer understood what I was trying to say.

The former Arsenal and Liverpool winger admits he has had to accept more defensive responsibilities with Stoke than he has in the past, but has relished the challenge and is now keen to make the vacant No. 7 shirt his own next season.

"The gaffer would say he expects his wingers to work harder than wingers in another team. It is very difficult and it is a hard job, but I love doing it. If you do it well you get the rewards.

"I am happy at Stoke and I have never complained," added Pennant. "Every professional wants to play and if they don't, they get a little frustrated, but if the team is doing well and winning then that is the main thing."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.