Sky Sports report today that Burnley are interested in bringing 25-year-old Stoke full back, Andy Wilkinson to Turf Moor but they also suggest he is one of Owen Coyle’s targets at Bolton. However both could miss out.
The defender has struggled to get a regular starting place in the Stoke side this season but would appear to still be settled.
Wilkinson told Sky Sports News:
‘It is nice to have the speculation, but I am just concentrating on my own game and trying to get my place in the team. I want to play in every single game, but there is good competition so it is always healthy and makes you train harder.’
Wilkinson was born in Stone. Staffordhire and came through Stoke City’s youth academy before signing his first professional contract in 2001.
His appearances have been limited over the years for Stoke due to injury and he has had a number of loan spells out to other clubs including Telford United, Partick Thistle, Shrewsbury Town and finally Blackpool in 2006-7.
It had been rumoured he would sign permanently for Blackpool and a bid of £150000 was offered for the player. However, Wilkinson after returning from loan was now having an extended run in the Stoke side so he turned down the offer prefering instead to stay in the Premier League with Stoke City. Since that time he has put in some impressive performances leading to a contract extension.
In July 2009 Wilkinson signed a new 3 year contract keeping him at Stoke City until 2012.
The arrival of Robert Huth though has now restricted his appearances and he is more often or not now named on the bench instead.
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