Sorensen aiming to secure Stoke role
Stoke goalkeeper Thomas Sorensen is hoping calling time on his international career this week will push him to the forefront of manager Tony Pulis’ plans for the new season.
After 101 caps for Denmark, Sorensen decided he had reached the end of one particular road, but feels it opens a new avenue with regard to his club career.
At the age of 36, Sorensen believes that no longer playing for his country will prolong his playing days with Stoke by another four years.
“It’s never easy to make that sort of decision when something has been such a big part of your life, as playing for my country has been for the last 10 to 12 years,” said Sorensen.
“But I feel I have another three or four more years left in me yet, and this decision will enable me to focus on my club career. I felt it was the right time to step down.”
It now remains to be seen whether Pulis opts for Sorensen or Asmir Begovic for the opening Premier League game at newly-promoted Reading on August 18.
Both men vied for the number one spot over the course of last season, enjoying lengthy runs at times, but with Sorensen playing the final two games of the campaign.
“In many respects this is the start of something new for me, and I will be giving my all for Stoke from now on in the hope I can feature in the manager’s plans,” added Sorensen on the club’s official website.
“Going away on international duty was always very hard. It was 10 days virtually every month through the season where the training was very intense.
“Now I will have more time to recover and keep the focus, which can only improve my chances of playing for much longer, which is what I want to do at club level.”
