Lawrence was Stoke's joint top-scorer last season (Getty)

Stoke City midfielder Liam Lawrence says he is winning his battle to be fit for Saturday's season-opener at Bolton.

The 26-year-old underwent a groin operation in May and has managed to play in just 12 minutes of the Potters' pre-season campaign.

He told BBC Radio Stoke: "I'm getting there; I've been training hard all week to be ready for Saturday.

"I'll be trying to persuade [manager Tony Pulis] that I'm ready but he will make the final decision."