THOMAS SORENSEN has today vowed to retain hold of his spot as Stoke City's first choice goalkeeper after reporting back following his prolonged summer break.

The Denmark international has been absent from the start of pre-season training after Tony Pulis granted him extended leave due to his involvement at the World Cup.

Upon his return to the Clayton Wood training ground, Stoke City Player cameras were on hand to catch up with the 34-year-old, who says he is determined to fight off the challenge of both Asmir Begovic and new boy Carlo Nash to stay City's number one.

"I want to be playing when the season starts for sure," he said. "That is the bottom line for me, because no player wants to be sitting on the sidelines.

"I have to believe that I will be playing when the season starts. I know what I am about and now I have to go out there in training and in the friendly games and show that to the manager again.

"I have had this sort of competition before and it is great for the team - it will help push all of us on, and that can only be good news for the Football Club."

He added: "Obviously, I haven't had as long a break as the others, but the sun is shining and I am here and now I am raring to get going again - I am looking forward to it.

"I have done plenty of work during my time off, so I am always up to scratch with that. There is no point coming back and then using the first two weeks of training to try and catch up with the other lads. I just want to get out there now and get back to work."

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