Delap eager for Fuller stay

Fuller: Delap support

Stoke midfielder Rory Delap is hoping Sunderland target Ricardo Fuller stays with the Potters.

Stoke have reportedly accepted a £3million bid for Fuller, although the Jamaica international is yet to agree personal terms with the Black Cats.

The 31-year-old striker has scored 42 goals in 160 league games for Stoke since signing from Southampton in August 2006.

Delap and Fuller have been team-mates for most of that time and the former Republic of Ireland international would hate to see him move on.

"Everyone knows what Ric has done for the club," Delap told the Sentinel. "I don't know what will happen.

"Ric is a great player, but it is down to him and the club. But if it were up to me, he would be staying."

Sunderland are after a new striker following Darren Bent's £18million move to Aston Villa, which allowed Stoke to sign John Carew on loan from Villa.

Real handful

Carew, 31, came off the bench for his Stoke debut in Saturday's 2-0 defeat at Fulham and although Delap would be sad to see Fuller go, he is delighted with the arrival of the tall Norwegian striker.

"He is a real handful," Delap added. "Nobody likes playing against him and hopefully we can get the benefit of that now. When he came on for us here, he looked sharp.

"He's not had much football, but hopefully he will be a big plus for us in the next couple of weeks."