Stoke boss Tony Pulis says that Matthew Upson does have a part to play at the Potters even though there is talk of other clubs being interested in him.

Upson has been left out in the cold of late, the last five games have seen him not even able to get a place on the bench, which is why other clubs have been interested, including Chinese outfit Shanghai Shenhua.

But Potters boss Pulis says that there was also a few phone calls from interested clubs who wanted to take the ex-England defender on loan during the January window, but Pulis resisted.

As far as the Welshman is concerned, Upson can still play a major roll for the Potters.

He told the Sentinel: "Matty had the opportunity to go out on loan during the window and we turned that down.

"One or two clubs wanted to take him on loan - there wasn't a permanent deal on the table for Matty."

When asked if Upson had been frustrated by his lack of match action, Pulis answered: "Yes, and rightly so, but he's a good lad."