Pulis wants to keep Shawcross for life

Stoke manager Tony Pulis is "hoping and praying" Ryan Shawcross will see out his career with the club, but will not stand in his way should a bigger team come calling.

Although Shawcross' current contract does not expire until the summer of 2014, the 25-year-old's recent progression into the England ranks has put him in the shop window.

It is why Shawcross is understood to have been offered a new six-year deal to ward off any predators, notably Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson, and Pulis said: "We're hoping and praying Ryan will be a Stoke player for the rest of his life."

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