Dominic Matteo says helping Stoke to the Premier League this season would represent the biggest achievement of his career.Matteo's CV boasts spells with Liverpool, Leeds and Blackburn but the 33-year-old insists promotion with the Potters would surpass all his previous achievements, including his Champions League semi-final appearance.

"To get into the Premier League with Stoke would certainly be the biggest achievement of my career," he told BBC Radio Stoke.

"I've never been part of a team that's been promoted before and it would be massive for a club like Stoke to earn a place in the Premiership."

Matteo has been out of action since November after undergoing a foot injury, but the midfielder is now expecting to return to training next week.

"It's been a tough few months," he said. "I don't think at the time I fully realised how serious the operation was.

"I'm back running now and should hopefully be back in full training over the next week to 10 days.

"It is important not to rush back. I've had two bones removed from my foot and if I don't do things properly it could be the end of my playing career."

Matteo has seen City soar to the top of the Championship during his time on the sidelines and he is in doubt as to who is to thank for the team's success.

"The manager doesn't get the recognition he deserves," he said. "I see other managers winning awards like manager of the month and I think our gaffer has been unlucky not to win that on a couple of occasions."

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