Last Updated: Thu, 07 Feb 2013 14:30
Rory Delap accepts that his time with Stoke is coming to an end and is hoping to earn a long-term deal with Barnsley.
Delap has always been a regular in the Potters side since arriving at the club, but following the influx of new players he has slipped down the pecking order and has hardly figured this season.
The 36-year-old has joined the Tykes on loan for the rest of the season and hopes to impress enough during his time at Oakwell to win a long-term contract.
"I'd like to think if I do well enough then there'll be something for me here," Delap revealed. "I'm out of contract in the summer and I want to keep playing, so I have to prove I can do a job over the next couple of months."
Meanwhile, Delap says being out of the first-team picture at the Britannia Stadium has been hard to deal with but does not have a problem with Tony Pulis as he realises the club is moving forward.
"This has been the most frustrating six months of my life," he added. "It's been a shock to not be involved and it's probably been even worse for my family because I've been coming home from training with nothing to look forward to.
"I've never been out of a team for more than a couple of games when I've been fit, but I couldn't have any complaints given the signings that Stoke have made."
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