Stoke midfielder Rory Delap has been pleased with the way his shoulder has coped with the demands of the season.

Delap has suffered one or two niggles during Stoke`s first campaign in the Premier League, a legacy of being a long-throw specialist.

He intends to seek medical advice in the summer regarding his shoulder and said : "I want to make sure there is nothing too wrong with it. But is has not been too bad lately."

Delap has been a key player as Stoke have secured top-flight status for at least another season but admits the spotlight on his long throws has been "a bit strange".

He said: "I have played the majority of games this season and I have got to be happy with that.

"Mind you it has been a bit strange, this business with the long throws. But I am not bothered what people say anymore. It is just one of those things."