Dickinson wants more Stoke starts

Dickinson made just three starts in the Premier League last season

Stoke City defender Carl Dickinson will use the example set by team-mate Andy Wilkinson in an effort to force his way into the Potters' first team.

Left-back Dickinson, 22, played just five Premier League appearances, three of them starts, in the 2008-09 season.

He told BBC Radio Stoke: "If there's anyone that could say they overachieved last season, it was 'Wilko'.

"He was fantastic, he took his chance well. I want to try and do what he did and play as many games as I can."

Wilkinson struggled to hold down a regular place at the start of the season, but played in all but one of Stoke's final 18 Premier League games.

Dickinson made seven appearances in a loan spell at Leeds United during January and February.

The Stoke squad report back for pre-season training on 9 July, and Dickinson is prepared for a tough few weeks before the season starts with a home game against newly-promoted Burnley on 15 August.

"In the past two or three seasons we've been the fittest team in the leagues that we've played in, and the gaffer (Tony Pulis) is intent on us all being really fit."