Stoke defender Andy Griffin is convinced the Potters can emulate his former club Portsmouth and establish themselves as a Premier League force.The 29-year-old full-back insists his newly-promoted side will hold their own in the top flight if they can add three or four "real class players" to the squad.

Griffin said: "Look at Portsmouth. They've got the likes of Sol Campbell, David James, Glen Johnson, Pedro Mendes, and Milan Baros. They have just finished eighth in the Premier League and won the FA Cup.

"That's what we've got to strive to do. They were in a identical situation to us when they got promoted and that is the example we have got to follow."

Griffin added: "This is a very, very big club, and can we establish ourselves as a top flight club, I believe we can.

"We obviously need a few players to come in. Two or three real class players would go a long way in helping us achieve what we want to."

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