Danny Higginbotham expects to see action for Stoke City in the coming weeks.

A run of five games in 14 days over the festive period is bound to see City delve deep into their playing resources, which is why Tony Pulis won't allow Preston to extend the loans of midfielders Danny Pugh and Michael Tonge.

Higginbotham told The Sentinel: "Hopefully I will get a game. It is our busiest time. Christmas is sometimes not the same when you have a young family, but that is part and parcel of doing our job and we look forward to it.

"I am a footballer and I want to be playing games. Working all week and then being on the bench is very disappointing.

"You can get a bit despondent at times, but you have to get on with it.

"There's only one way of getting match fitness and that is playing games, but I think I have been able to keep myself in decent nick.

"I had a situation last year when I wasn't playing for three or four months and then I got an opportunity near Christmas and stayed in the team for the rest of the season. That gives me hope. I just need to keep taking my chances when I get them."