Osaze Odemwingie is desperate to earn a new deal with Stoke but wants it on merit not through sentiment from boss, Mark Hughes.
The striker made his return to action following an eight-month lay-off when he came off the bench against Sunderland at the weekend, and he is hoping for more minutes between now and the end of the season.
Odemwingie is also hoping to impress Hughes enough to win a new deal as his current one expires at the end of the season when he will then be available on a free transfer. However the 33-year-old does not want sentiment to come into play but wants to stay at the Britannia Stadium on merit alone.
“I really enjoy working with the manager and staff, working at the training ground with the atmosphere, and especially at the stadium,” he said.
“The fans have also encouraged me and hopefully I will be scoring a goal before the end of the season. If I can do well and the manager sees me as someone who can help the club, then I am happy to stay.
“But I don’t want it to be on sentiment, I want it to be on merit.”