New deal on the table for Whitehead

Approaching the 500^th appearance of his club career, Dean Whitehead is set to be offered a new contract by Stoke at the end of the season.

His current deal expires in the summer, but, according to Sky Sports, Potters manager Tony Pulis is willing to extend the midfielder’s stay at the club.  During his time at the Britannia, the 31-year-old has played 124 games for Stoke in the Premier League, as well as representing them 10 times in Europe during their maiden campaign in the Europa League last season.

Starting his senior career at Oxford United, Whitehead made his league debut as a teenager and made a total of 136 appearances for the Us in all competitions.  A move to Championship side Sunderland would follow, where he immediately became a key member of the team that would win the second division title.  Helping the club gain promotion back to the top flight, Whitehead’s impressive season was recognised by his new team-mates as he won the club’s Players’ Player of the Year award.

Whitehead’s first few years at Sunderland were eventful to say the least.  He would go from joy to agony as the Black Cats suffered immediate relegation from the Premier League with a then-record low 15 points, before that embarrassment was all but forgotten as the club bounced straight back up with another first-placed finish in the Championship.  The midfielder remained a regular fixture in the side until he swapped red and white stripes of Sunderland for the red and white stripes of Stoke, who paid £5 million for his services.

Frequently on the bench for the Potters so far this term, will Whitehead sign on again or seek playing time elsewhere?

Follow @TonyDefc