Rory Delap is happy to be a Potter this season after last term's traumatic experiences. The 31-year-old broke a leg just 12 minutes into his second loan spell at the Britannia Stadium from Sunderland and was ruled out for the remainder of the campaign. However, Stoke kept faith in the utility player and kept him in the Midlands before signing him permanently this summer. It is a move that pleased Delap no end and he is aiming to repay the club by guiding them to the Championship play-offs for the first time since 1996. Givemefootball logged the thoughts of Delap as he contemplates a busy winter ahead in the Potteries.
Q:TONY PULIS WAS IN THE FRAME FOR THE VACANT JOB AT NORWICH ACCORDING TO NEWSPAPER REPORTS – HOW MUCH OF A BLOW WOULD IT HAVE BEEN TO LOSE HIM?
A:The manager's trying to get some continuity going at Stoke. We just didn't know how serious the Norwich interest was, we just knew what we were seeing in the papers. But I think we all agree that we’re trying to build something here and add to the place, not take things away. The manager has brought in a winger last week from Preston, Danny Pugh, and he wants to add to the squad wherever possible. I think he'll be looking to bring in other players soon and that's good wherever you are playing.
Q:IS PROMOTION A POSSIBILITY THIS YEAR?
A:We're in among the top clubs but there's still a lot more to come from us yet. As well as having some good results we also lost badly at home to Sheffield Wednesday and then at Bristol City. We can still improve a lot though. It's time to step it up again now and go to the international break with a few points under our belts. But for me, it's just good to be playing football again.
Q:I TAKE IT BY THAT YOU ARE REFERRING TO LAST SEASON'S NIGHTMARE INJURY?
A:I've a lot to thank Stoke for. They could quite easily have let me go back to Sunderland last season but there was a gentleman's agreement in place – nothing in writing though – that I would stay until January. At a time like that you think all kinds of things. You even wonder if you'll play again. But thanks to everyone at Stoke, I was able to do my rehab there rather than at Sunderland. Stoke kept their word and did what they said they would.
Q:AND THEY REWARDED WITH YOU A NEW CONTRACT TO BOOT?
A:When you have an injury like that it causes a shock to the system but, once that has passed, you have to think about the future. Then I was signed on a two-year contract which was fantastic because the club was taking a risk on me. It's becoming more and more unusual that clubs do stick by injured players so it's good that Stoke think that way.
Q:DO YOU FEEL AS YOU OWE STOKE A DEBT OF GRATITUDE FOR SHOWING LOYALTY?
A:That's why I want to play a full season, not just for me, but for Stoke and that includes everyone from the chairman, to the manager, to the coaches and the physio. They all played a big part in me playing regularly again at this level. I suppose if I can come through this season and stay fit then I could look at my contract situation again but that's a long way off and something I would only really think about in the summer when we can see how things have gone. But it's not just me that the club has helped. John Eustace has had injuries but the club has stuck by him too.
