Sorensen out to prove a point

Thomas Sorensen will reclaim his position between the sticks for Stoke when the club line-up against Manchester City at the weekend. The Danish stopper has been forced to watch the majority of this campaign from the bench after the emergence of Asmir Begovic.

With Tony Pulis opting for the young Bosnian over the experienced Dane for the club’s Premier League campaign, it has been the FA Cup where Sorensen has been given his limited game time. That will continue into the final and Sorensen has been assured of his place at Wembley by manager Pulis. Anyone looking to place FA Cup bets should remember how vital a good goalkeeping performance will be.

The 34-year old has been a major factor behind Stoke FA Cup success this season and will be looking to see the job through against City this weekend. The future after that is far from clear however. After such limited opportunities this season, Sorensen has been vocal in his disenchantment as playing second fiddle at this stage in his career.

With one-year left on his contract, Sorensen may attempt this summer to engineer one final move in his career, in the search for first-team football more than anything else. His manager Pulis has expressed his understanding of the frustrations shown by Sorensen but remains hopeful of convincing the veteran to stay beyond the summer.

He said: “Thomas is a top goalkeeper. He is captain of Denmark and wants to play every week. It is always going to be a little bit frustrating when you are not. Asmir has come in and done smashing. That is what competition is all about.”