Whelan wants SWP at Stoke

The Manchester dynamo is poised to leave Eastlands where he has been deemed surplus to requirements by Roberto Mancini. Bolton appear to be leading the chase for the England international's signature who is still a favourite amongst the blue half of Manchester. Wright-Phillips was sold to Chelsea for £21million in 2005 before returning to the club three years later for £9million. Whelan played with the pacey winger in the City Academy and knows if they are able to lure the player, manager Tony Pulis will be adding his huge dollop of quality to his squad. "Shaun is a top player and would maybe be in the England side if he was playing a lot more," Whelan told The Sentinel. "You don't go to Chelsea for as much as he did unless you are a good player. "If he signed for us it would be great - but we'll wait and see who comes in. "Ask anyone here and they will tell you the better the players who come in, the better it is for us because we will have to raise our game to stay in the team or get back in."