STOKE CITY: RIGGOTT: I'M READY TO HELP LIFT CITY

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From Sentinel:

STOKE CITY: RIGGOTT: I'M READY TO HELP LIFT CITY
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09:40 - 05 March 2008

Stoke newcomer Chris Riggott has landed at the Britannia Stadium desperate to add a promotion pennant to a couple of glittering medals already decorating his private trophy cabinet.

And the 27-year-old centre-half reckons a hard week's training should leave him fit to make his debut if required against Burnley this Saturday.

Riggott hasn't played first-team football since mid-November after a calf injury left him falling down the pecking order at Middlesbrough.

But he says: "I've been doing a lot of running with no reaction so far this week, so hopefully I'll be able to train with the rest of the lads by the end of the week. I'm not entirely sure what the script is, but I hope to be available for Saturday.

"It was a no-brainer for me to come to Stoke because I haven't played a lot of football in the last year. I'm excited by the thought of playing again - and for a team that seems to be flying despite a couple of dodgy results.

"I've come here to play and help the team. The aim is obviously to win as many of the last 10 games as possible to try and win automatic promotion.

"I've had a cracking few years at Middlesbrough by reaching a UEFA Cup final, a Carling Cup final, an FA Cup semi and having some good finishes in the Premier League. So I've played in a few big games and if that can influence anything here, that would be great."

He still has more than two years left on his Boro contract, but would consider a return closer to his Derby roots if Stoke came calling at the end of his loan spell in June.

"I wouldn't rule it out," he says. "But for the short-term, I just want to get my first game out of the way and then build on that. You can't look too far ahead."

Skipper Andy Griffin has escaped a three-match ban after Sunday's red card at QPR was kicked out on appeal by the FA.

"I'm delighted because I always knew in my heart of hearts that it was a fair challenge," said Griffin.

"I just want to thank referee Andy D'Urso for being man enough to look at it again and admit he got it wrong on this occasion.

"I'm a bit old fashioned in the way I play football and the way I tackle, but I'd also like to think I'm fair and honest. I would never try to seriously hurt someone."

Stoke slipped out of the automatic promotion places in the Coca-Cola Championship last night after 1-1 draws by Bristol City at Charlton and Watford against Norwich left them third. by Martin Spunks




Great signing, interesting that he would be interested to stay on at the end of the season considering linked with National caps over last couple of years.

Now we just need a similar quality player up front or wide (or both!)

Come on Pete & Tone! Get Nugent in, and i'll be sex weeing!!! ;D

[frasier37]

TP - Right boss, if we're going for promotion i need to know which players i can bid for?

PC - Deffinately Tony.
Here's the list of bargain Crocks you can loan, pick any you want. I want to show the championship we really meen business this season. ;D

Only joking, i think.