Danny Higginbotham Happy To Be Stoke City's Left-Back

Stoke City's Danny Higginbotham had become comfortable as a centre-back, after playing there for most of his recent career since he switched from left-back whilst at Derby County in the early part of the decade, having begun his career with Manchester United.

In two spells in the Potteries, he had played mainly as a centre-back, but switched back to the left side of the defence last season after joining from Sunderland, and stayed there, as City secured an unlikely Premier League stay.

"I didn't think I'd say it but I consider myself as a left-back now," Higginbotham told the club's official website.

"I played there for the most of last year and I really enjoyed the season.

"It's a bit like when I was a youngster and I played at left-back a lot more.

"I always said I wanted to play at centre-half but now it's gone full circle and I enjoy playing out on the flank."

The player is far from complacent about his first-team shirt though, and anticipates stiff competition for his place from Danny Pugh and Carl Dickinson in the campaign to come.

"Pughy and Dicko are good players," he added.

"They're great professionals who train hard and I'm sure they're itching to get some more appearances next season.

"For someone my age it's good to have a younger player like Dicko coming through because you work together and teach each other things.

"Competition for places is good in any team, it keeps you on your toes and gets you fighting to keep your place."