Ryan Shawcross reckons Andy Griffin will hold off the challenges of Rory Delap and Liam Lawrence to start next season as Stoke's skipper.

The captaincy switched hands a number of times at the Britannia Stadium last season with Delap ending the season in control of the armband following an injury to Griffin.

Shawcross says Delap's form over the final weeks makes him a contender to take the role permanently, but the England Under-21 defender reckons Tony Pulis will stick with his original choice of Griffin.

"There are a few people who can go up for the captaincy," said Shawcross, who at just 20 is happy to rule himself out of the running.

"There's obviously Griff, who's played at the top level and in the Champions League. He has all the credentials.

"Liam is a leader on the pitch and there are a few more people lining up, but I'm sure it will probably be Griffin, who'll just carry it on from last season."

Meanwhile Shawcross is looking forward to his first season in the Premier League and reckons the rest of the Potters squad can too.

"I'm really looking forward to playing in the Premier League and I have a feeling it's going to be a good season next year," he added in The Sentinel.

"For myself, it's firstly about getting in the team and then staying in it. As a team, obviously we are going to try to stay up.

"There's no point in aiming for 17th, we have to aim higher than that. I think with a few more players we'll be fine, and I'm sure the gaffer is looking at that now."

More Football News from TEAMtalk