Shawcross rejects rumours

17 August 2009 11:19
Stoke defender Ryan Shawcross has rejected rumours linking him with a move away from the Britannia Stadium. Liverpool and Shawcross' former club Manchester United have both been linked with the central defender in recent days as they look to bolster their defensive options. Shawcross impressed last season for Stoke and he got his new campaign off to a flying start with a goal in Saturday's 2-0 win over Burnley. The 21-year-old has brushed off the speculation over his future and insists he is happy at Stoke. "It doesn't bother me. If you look in the papers, every day there's a different player linked to every club," Shawcross told the Stoke Sentinel. "No one has made a bid and nothing has happened, so as far as I am concerned, I am a Stoke player and no one has told me differently. "There's nothing going on. Someone has written something in the paper and then everyone has jumped on the bandwagon. "It happens to a lot of players, but I am a Stoke player." Shawcross also believes he owes Stoke a lot for taking a chance on him when signing him from Manchester United. "The coaching staff there (at United) have made me who I am and I thank them wholeheartedly, but I also have to give a lot of thanks to Tony Pulis," added Shawcross. "He took a risk on me. I was a nobody when he took me on board, and he has turned me into a Premier League player." Potters chairman Peter Coates insists United have not made an approach for Shawcross after rumours intensified when Sir Alex Ferguson was spotted in the crowd at the Britannia Stadium on Saturday. "They certainly haven't contacted me," said Coates. "And I'm sure they haven't made contact with anyone else."

Source: SKY_Sports