‘RYAN HAS LOTS LEFT IN TANK’
Potters boss says Shawcross deserves plaudits for landmark effort
GARY Rowett has heaped praise on Ryan Shawcross as he enters the all-time top 10 for Stoke City appearances – and backed him to stay as long as he’s willing.
Shawcross has pulled level with Frank Mountford (425 games) in Stoke’s hall of fame and is expected to make the next step to overhauling Frank Bowyer (436) and Jackie Marsh (444) this afternoon when he leads the team out at Aston Villa.
The centre-back is 31 now, under contract until 2021 and hoping to spearhead a second promotion campaign – but has had to fight for his place this season.
Rowett is clear, however, he will have the opportunity to stay at the heart of the club.
“Absolutely I see him carrying on,” he said.
“The biggest indicator players not tending to reach this kind of milestone anymore is when I saw the article and he was the only one not in black and white in his photo. That tells you how difficult it is in recent years to get that many appearances.
“For Ryan, it’s up to him. His performance levels can remain as high as he wants them to remain and how long he stays at the club will be down to his willingness to want to stay at the club.
“I know there is a lot of affection for him within the club and people appreciate how hard it is to find someone who understands the value of what it is to be a Stoke player.
“I think there are a couple he can almost overtake this year.
“It’s a fantastic achievement and one that will be very difficult to surpass by other players.”
Shawcross is the first player to break into this top 10 since Peter Fox in the 1980s.
His count has been frustrated by back injuries over the last three years and he spent half-a-dozen games on the bench earlier this season before being restored to the starting line-up in November.
Rowett said: “He’s obviously had some difficult periods personally and professionally in that time and he’s come through them really strong.
“I can only really talk about this season and he’s one that always wants to get the group together, as a captain he wants to try to galvanise the group because he knows what Stoke have done well in the past and he’s been part of that when team spirit has been massive.
“He obviously had a spell out of the team early season when, of course, like everyone else it was hard to adjust to Championship life but he’s bounced back really, really well and I think that shows a lot of character.
“I’ve been really pleased with him. I’ve been pleased with all three of the centrehalves, but with Ryan in terms of this latest milestone, I hope he can go on and start to challenge some of those ahead.
“When you see yourself in the top 10 for a club like Stoke City in terms of alltime appearances you have to think, that’s an amazing achievement for him and his family.
“If he can start to reel in some of those ahead of him, it’s a fantastic target for him to have in mind I’m sure.”
Tom Ince, who was withdrawn in last weekend’s voictory over Ipswich Town, and Tom Edwards (groin) have both been training this week but Villa will be without key man Jack Grealish (shin).
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