Stoke City goalkeeper Thomas Sorensen has accused his former club Aston Villa manager Martin O’Neill of trying to ruin his career.

The 32-year-old Denmark international claimed that he was intentionally left out of first-team plans last season at Villa Park for reasons nothing to do with football, before he left in the summer on a free transfer to the Potters.

The former Sunderland keeper told the Daily Mirror: "It stayed personal for him and had nothing to do with football.”

"This summer it was so crazy and insane that I suddenly realised my manager could destroy my career.”

"He said to me and two others that he didn't use me because I just wasn't good enough but at the same time he didn't want to let me go to another club.”

"He must really have had a down on me, because why would he effectively destroy my chances for me to change clubs?"