Stoke City manager Tony Pulis has said that defender Ryan Shawcross will remain at the Britannia Stadium despite reports linking him with a move to Liverpool.

The 23-year-old is reportedly a target for the Merseyside club, who are thought to be on the hunt for a new centre-half.

Despite speculation, the Potters boss has revealed that the club intend to spend on players rather than sell.

"We have got no need to sell Ryan," the Daily Mail quotes Pulis as saying. “We want to spend money if we can.

"I think the chairman and the board have made it quite clear that their intentions are to try to improve the squad this year.

"We are very pleased with the defenders we've got, now we have to improve our midfield and forward line."

Stoke are preparing for the first leg of their Europa League play-off against Swiss outfit FC Thun this evening.