By Mark Jackson

Three months have now passed since Ritchie De Laet took a significant step in his career when he signed for Stoke City.

However the young Belgium starlet now believes that he is ready to take the huge leap into the Potters first team.

The 18 year-old has found himself restricted to reserve team football since his £100,000 switch to the Britannia Stadium from Royal Antwerp, and after watching Championship football from the sidelines, he believes the time is now right to get involved.

He says: "I have had some bad performances, however I believe that I have put in some good performances.

"I just have to keep going and trying in training and hopefully one day the gaffer will give me a chance."

The versatile defender, who has started six reserve team fixtures, admits he is loving life at the Britannia Stadium and reveals he wanted to join the club from day one.

"I am enjoying my time here," smiles Ritchie.

"It is quite similar to Belgium, but the football is different, It's faster and harder.

"I did need time to settle in, but I'm past that now.

"I already knew a couple of players so it was easy for me to join Stoke. My agent called me one day and said there are a couple of clubs interested in me and Stoke was one of them.

"When I saw the facilities and the stadium I knew this was the place for me."

Whilst De Laet was sad to leave his home country, he expressed that the opportunity to play in England and with the aspiration to play in the Premiership was to big of a temptation to turn down.

Saying: "It was hard, but I would have had to do it at some point; You are always going to miss your family but I'm getting use to it.

"It is my dream to play in the Premiership and I think that it would be every footballers dream.

"England was always the country I wanted to play football in and I am absolutely delighted to be over here."

Like most young boys, De Laet's heart was set on becoming a professional footballer and he was resolute that this was where his future lied.

"I always wanted to be a footballer," he reveals.

"I went to school but every time the teacher came up to me and told me to do work, I said to her that I was going to be a footballer.

"I'm not to sure whether they believed me or not, but I have done it and i'm very happy."

When growing up, the highly rated defender had many idols who he aspired to becoming, however in this present day he is fondly inspired by one of his current team-mates.

"Stephen Wright is a very, very good player," insists Ritchie.

"He has it all, he is quick, good in the air, a fine tackler, the complete player in my opinion.

"Apart from Stephen I would love to be as good as someone like John Terry or Patrice Evra."

The international scene has bypassed Ritchie for two years now, however he remains optimistic about his prospects of representing his country in the future.

Saying: "I played for Belgium at under 16 level, but I never heard from them again.

"I want to play for Belgium, but my first priority is Stoke.

"If I can get into the first team here, then I may be able to get seen by the national team and then they may be interested.

"Of course I hope they come in for me, but if they don't then I won't be to disappointed."

Whilst a first team start hasn't yet been received by the likeable Belgian, he believes that both himself and Stoke City have a great future ahead of themselves.

Adding: "We have a very good team and I believe that we can reach the playoffs this season, That would be a great achievement for the club.

"I will give my all for this football club and hopefully that will result in a good long future for me with Stoke."