Defender Marc Wilson has expressed his delight that Stoke and Ireland team-mate Jon Walters is staying at the club.

Following a breakdown in negotiations over a new contract, Walters handed in a transfer request.

And interest from Norwich City, Leciester City and West Bromwich Albion suggested that a departure from the Potteries was increasingly inevitable.

But, with Stoke unable to bring any new faces in on deadline day, the 31-year-old stayed put and will remain at the Britannia Stadium until the end of his contract.

And, whilst that contract only has one year left, Wilson is thrilled that his good friend is not going anywhere just yet.

“He’s a great lad and a big part of the Stoke team and the dressing room, so I’m glad he’s still a Stoke player,” Wilson told RTE.

“I was sending him a few text messages just to see how he was getting on, but obviously Stoke couldn’t see eye-to-eye with any other clubs to get someone in.”

Some Stoke supporters might be disappointed that the Merseyside-born forward wanted to leave, but Wilson believes that he was simply trying to gain some life security.

“He seems fine. I think he was just trying to look out for his own future. He’s getting on a bit now and I think he was trying to secure his own future for his family so I don’t see anything wrong with that.”

And Walters’ dedication to the team is clearly appreciated amongst Mark Hughes’ players, if not by the club hierarchy.

“He’s a smashing guy to have round the place. In the dressing room and on the pitch, you know you are going to get 100% with his attitude and determination- and he scores goals so he’s a great guy to have around,” the former Portsmouth man added.

“He’s a big part of the Irish dressing room as well, a great character. All the things I said before, I could say them a million times. He’s a great guy to have in the camp.”

Walters will now join Wilson and the rest of the Ireland squad as they prepare for two Euro 2016 qualifying fixtures against Gibraltar and Georgia respectively.