DANNY Higginbotham returned to the Stoke in September for his second stint with the club after one season away with Sunderland.

The defender first joined the Potters in August, 2006 in a £225,000 deal from Southampton.

Originally being used at left-back, the 29-year-old was switched to centre half where his dominant performances lead to him being handed the captain's armband.

During the season Danny made 45 appearances and scored seven goals.

His passion to win was summed up after the final game of the season against Queens Park Rangers at Loftus Road when Stoke failed to make the play-offs and Higginbotham struggled to give a post-match interview because of his disappointment.

Higginbotham's performances that season lead to him scooping the Player of the Season accolade at the end of season award show.

Before the next campaign had begun rumours were sweeping North Staffordshire that Roy Keane was looking to take Stoke's captain to the North East to bolster his Sunderland side ahead of their assault on the Premier League.

A deal was reached and Higginbotham left Stoke in a £2.5 million deal.

Danny enjoyed a relatively successful season with Sunderland and made 21 appearances, scoring three goals - including strikes against the Black Cats' local rivals, Newcastle United and Middlesbrough.

With defenders Anton Ferdinand and George McCartney both arriving at Sunderland from West Ham, Danny realised his chances would be limited and opted for a return to the Potteries.
He signed for the Potters on transfer deadline day and appeared as captain for the reserve side just two days later where he marked his return with a goal.

Higginbotham started his career at hometown club Manchester United. As part of his footballing education, the Red Devils farmed him out on loan to Belgium side Royal Antwerp.
It was during his spell at Antwerp that Higginbotham was banned for a year after an alleged assault on a referee. A Belgian court reduced that ban to four months.

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