Higginbotham has made 83 starts in two spells with Stoke City

Stoke defender Danny Higginbotham has told BBC Radio Stoke that he has no complaints about losing his place in the team to new signing Danny Collins.

The 30-year-old can stake a claim for a regular starting place in the fourth round of the Carling Cup against Portsmouth at Fratton Park on Tuesday.

"The manager is entitled to do what he feels is right," Higginbotham said.

"Danny's come into the team and done well, so I just have to be patient and take my chance when it comes."

He added: "I don't think I've got anything to prove to anybody. I just want to enjoy my football and that's what I'm here to do."

Collins joined the Potters from Sunderland in August for £2.75m and was immediately placed in the team by Stoke boss Tony Pulis at the expense of Higginbotham.

Since Collins' arrival, his only start has come in the third round victory over Blackpool, in which he scored Stoke's first goal in a 4-3 win.

Pulis is expected to rotate his squad for the visit to the Premier League's bottom club, with the likes of Tuncay, Dave Kitson, Danny Pugh and long-term injury victim Mama Sidibe all set to be involved.

"It's a chance for some of the lads who haven't been playing to get a game," said the former Derby, Southampton and Sunderland defender.

"It will be tough, but we're going there with the intention of winning."

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