Defender played almost 200 times for Stoke since rising through academy

Heart-warming gesture is in return for Wilkinson's loyalty over 14 years

Deal is week-to-week to help him recover from injury and find a new club

Stoke released defender Andy Williamson this month but have re-signed him

Stoke City have re-signed defender Andy Wilkinson on a week-to-week deal until he recovers from a minor injury and is able to find another club.

Stoke released the 30-year-old when his contract ran out at the end of the season but in a heart-warming gesture the club have allowed him to stay on until he is back to full fitness following a knock picked up on the training ground.

The club expect Wilkinson to be 100 per cent ready to play by the end of August but didn't want him to go unpaid over the summer given his loyalty to the club.

Stoke City have re-signed defender Andy Wilkinson on a week-to-week to help him find a new club

Wilkinson has been with his hometown club for 14 years and they want him to find fitness and a new club

Wilkinson has been with his hometown club for 14 years and played for them almost 200 times, helping The Potters win promotion and then establish themselves as a Barclays Premier League club.

Manager Mark Hughes will hope to sign a right back as a replacement in the current window and was interested in Cedric Soares from Sporting Lisbon before he chose to join Southampton.

Wilkinson's versatility meant he played for Stoke at both full back and centre half.

The versatile defender made almost 200 appearances for the Potters as they established themselves