The experienced defender played a key role in Nottingham Forest's survival after joining the Reds on loan in January and is likely to be on the fringes of the first team should he return to the Britannia Stadium.
Steve Cotterill would be more than keen to do a permant deal for the player but Higginbotham told local newspaper The Sentinel: "I have another year left on my contract with Stoke and I want to play at the highest level for as long as possible.
"Leaving the football club is not in my mind, but it is up to the manager and I will respect his decision.
"He has been brilliant with me from when I first joined Stoke from Southampton."