Stoke Want Jerome

Tony Pulis now wants Jerome after being frustrated in his bid for Cole.

The Potters have agreed fees of £6m for Cole and £5m for Jerome. With the pair both being in teams being recently relegated it was thought they would be easy signings.

Jerome is closer to joining Stoke and has not travelled on Birmingham's tour of Ireland.

Pulis Pleased With Draw

Tony Pulis was delighted with Stoke's UEFA Europa League draw after they were paired with Croatian giants Hajduk Split in the third qualifying round.

The FA Cup runners-up will return to continental competition for the first time in 37 years this season after last competing in the Uefa Cup.

On that occasion they were knocked out in the first round on away goals by Ajax, and Stoke have again drawn one of Europe's bigger names.

Fantastic

Manager Pulis told the club's official website: "It's a fantastic draw for us and an occasion that every single one of us are looking forward to.

"Hajduk Split are a hugely renowned football club with great tradition in European competitions, and it's also a lovely city for our supporters to go out and visit.

"The draw has only just been made but already my phone hasn't stopped ringing - you can sense the excitement building.

"It would be absolutely fantastic to get a full house at the Britannia Stadium and get the place rocking as we host European football here for the first ever time."

"The draw has only just been made but already my phone hasn't stopped ringing - you can sense the excitement building."
Tony PulisQuotes of the week

While Stoke will hope to win a European tie for the first time at the third attempt, Hajduk possess an impressive European pedigree.

They have reached the quarter-finals of the European Cup three times, most recently in 1994-95, while they were semi-finalists in the Uefa Cup in 1983-84.

Hajduk are also six-time winners of their domestic league, although for the last three years they have had to settle for the runners-up spot behind Dinamo Zagreb.

The first leg will take place at the Britannia Stadium on July 28th before Stoke travel to Split's Stadion Poljud on August 4th.

Quirk

In a quirk of the draw, the Premier League's other representative at this stage of the competition,Fulham, could also face a team from Split.

Martin Jol's side, who are 3-1 up on Crusaders after Thursday's first leg, will meet either RNK Split or Domzale of Slovenia, with the Croatians 2-1 ahead going into their home match.

RNK finished just behind their city rivals in the Prva HNL last season to cap a meteoric rise after three successive promotions and are playing in Europe for the first time.

Hearts will meet Hungarian side Paksi or Tromso of Norway while a clash with either Metalurg Skopje of Macedonia or Bulgaria's Levski Sofia awaits Dunnde  if they can overturn a 1-0 first-leg deficit to Slask Wroclaw.

Europa League Result

The draw has been made and it was 6-4. Stoke was in Group 6 and will be playing HNK Hajduk Split between 28th July - 4th August. 


This will be a tough game for City and will need Tony Pulis to get his squad fit quickly if we wish to progress into the next round.


HNK Hajduk Split  are one of the most successful teams in Croatia and ex-Yugoslavia, having won nine Yugoslav and six Croatian league championships, in addition to nine Yugoslav and five Croatian cup titles. 


Good Luck Lads

Stoke Push For Jerome

Skysports.com understands Stoke City are continuing talks with Cameron Jerome.

The Potters have agreed a deal with Birmingham for Jerome as well as his team-mate Scott Dann

While talks with Dann and West Ham's Carlton Cole have stalled in recent days, a move for Jerome is progressing.

Skysports.com understands that the Potters are hopeful that they could conclude a deal for Jerome early next week.

It is believed that Tony Pulis wants both Jerome and Cole to bolster his attacking options.

Stoke City can be successful in Europe - Peter Shilton

Peter Shilton played over 100 games for Stoke City between 1974 and 1977

Former Stoke City goalkeeper Peter Shilton believes the Potters have "a good chance" of reaching the latter stages of the Europa League.

The Potters will enter at the third qualifying stage of the competition after reaching the FA Cup final for the first time in their history in May.

"To win a European trophy is something special and I think we'll have a good chance," Shilton told BBC Radio Stoke.

"Stoke are a difficult side to beat. It's going to be a great experience."

Tony Pulis' side will be competing in Europe for the first time for 37 years next season.

Shilton joined Stoke from Leicester City for £325,000 - then a world record fee for a goalkeeper - just over a month after the club's last European tie.

The Potters were beaten on away goals by Dutch giants Ajax in the first round of the UEFA Cup in October 1974.

Stoke will be competing on four fronts in the forthcoming campaign and Shilton says new faces will need to be added to complement the squad that finished 13th in the Premier League last season.

"You need the right size of squad, where you've got competition for places and you've got your injuries covered, but also you haven't got too many players sitting on the sidelines on a regular basis," added Shilton, who won a record 125 caps for England.

"Tony Pulis has always been pretty shrewd in that respect and he'll be aware of that."

Stoke signed former England defender Jonathan Woodgate on a free transfer on Monday
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Woodgate : I Still Have A Lot To Offer

New Stoke City signing Jonathan Woodgate is determined to make the most his new lifeline.

The former Spurs centre-back was delighted to be given an opportunity with Stoke and is ready to prove he can still play in the Premier League.

"It was important for me to work hard on my fitness during the summer because I wasn't sure where I would be playing and I knew that would decide my future," Woodgate said.

"So hopefully I can stay fit now because I feel I still have a lot to offer at this level. With the back-up from the medical and sports science department which they have here at Stoke, that can only help my prospects of doing that."

He added: "I was thrilled when Tony Pulis asked me to come and join the club.

"I'd spoken to him a couple of times about the progress that Stoke have made over the past three seasons and his plans for the future in aiming to build on that success."

Cole Bid Of £6m Accepted

The Hammers have accepted a £6m fee for the striker. The England International is currently in Switzerland with West Ham. and is set to discuss personal terms with Tony Pulis when he returns. 

Potters chairman Peter Coates said: 'We have agreed terms with West Ham, that's done. Now it's a case of can we agree terms with Carlton?'

Cole joined West Ham from Chelsea in July 2006 and has scored 42 goals in 165 appearances. 

But he found the net just five times in the Barclays Premier League last season and is now poised to move on in the wake of the Hammers' relegation. 

The fee is believed to be an initial £4million with a possible £2m add-ons.

Woodgate Signed and Sealed

Stoke City have today signed 31 year-old Johnathan Woodgate on a free transfer. Stoke wish to extend his contract to 2 years if he proves his fitness. 

Woodgate has been given a chance to stay in the Premier League despite his recent injury problems

"There is no doubt that we have acquired a player with outstanding quality and experience but he is one who has clearly struggled with injuries over the past two years," commented City's Chief Executive Tony Scholes."However, sometimes a fresh start can trigger a change of fortunes. Jonathan has been working very hard throughout the summer on his fitness so he is desperate to make the most of this opportunity and to play in the Premier League."

Woodgate fly out to Austria later in the week to meet and train with his new team mates.

Speaking from Irdning, manager Tony Pulis said: "The lad is a top class player and it's been well documented that he has had his injury troubles, but we believe that if his fitness is managed properly, he will play games for us.

"We know that other Premier League clubs were keen on signing Jonathan, so we are delighted he has chosen us. It's a chance we are taking, but one we were keen to take because of the stature and quality of the player."

He added: "We've effectively taken him on a pay-as-you-play deal which just shows how desperate the lad is to get his career back on the right track."

Woodgate will be reunited with a former Middlesbrough team-mate Robert Huth at the Britannia Stadium, the pair having played together at the heart of the north east club's defence when they were in the Premier League five years ago.

Prior to that, he enjoyed a successful spell with Leeds United, before moving on to Newcastle United and then had two year stint with Real Madrid.

After returning to the English game with Middlesbrough, he joined Tottenham in a £7 million deal in January 2008 and was a key figure in the following season when they recovered from a disastrous start to finish eighth in the Premier League.

Woodgate has won eight international caps with England, the first of which came back in Kevin Keegan's reign in 1999 while he was at Leeds. His fine form for hometown club Middlesbrough earned him a recall in February 2007.

Sky Kick-Off The Season With Stoke vs Chelsea

Manchester United, Chelsea and Manchester City will all be in action as Sky Sports kicks off a new season of live Barclays Premier League coverage.

The games involving last season's top three will be shown live on the opening weekend after Sky Sports confirmed the first batch of fixtures for the 2011/12 campaign.

It all starts on Sunday August 14 with last season's runners-up Chelsea travelling to Stoke City, before Manchester United launch the defence of their title at West Bromwich Albion.

Then the opening Monday Night Football of the campaign sees Manchester City host newly-promoted Swansea City  in their first ever Premier League match.

In consultation with the Premier League, Sky Sports has confirmed 39 live games up until the end of November. This season Sky Sports will show 115 live Premier League fixtures with every match available in HD and selected matches in 3D.

The latest fixtures - updated throughout the season here on skysports.com - include:

ALL THE CLUBS: Every Barclays Premier League team will be shown live in the first set of Sky Sports HD fixtures with all three newly-promoted clubs shown live at least three times by the end of November.

BIG HEAD-TO-HEADS: Sky Sports will show 11 matches between last year's top six teams, including Manchester United v Arsenal on August 28 and Manchester United v Chelsea on September 18.

MAJOR DERBIES: Sky Sports HD will show seven major derbies including Everton v Liverpool on October 1, Tottenham Hotspur v Arsenal on October 2 and Manchester United v Manchester City followed by Queens Park Rangers v Chelsea on October 23.

Commenting on the live matches, Barney Francis, Managing Director of Sky Sports, said: "Manchester United and Chelsea both feature as part of a live Ford Super Sunday double header on the opening weekend of the season, followed by Swansea City's first ever Premier League match when Ford Monday Night Football kicks off on August 15.

"In the first set of live Sky Sports HD fixtures we will also see seven major derbies, all top six teams in the opening 10 days and every Barclays Premier League club live before the end of November."

Stoke Close in on Woodgate Deal

STOKE City were close to making Tottenham's former England defender Jonathan Woodgate their first summer signing today.

The 31-year-old centre-half, a free agent after being released by Spurs, could even be flown out to join his new team-mates in Austria if the deal is concluded in time.

He requires a rigorous medical to satisfy Stoke first, however, after playing just four games for Spurs in the last two seasons because of a long-term groin problem.

Stoke will also cover themselves financially by weighing his contract heavily towards his future playing record at the Britannia.

Manager Tony Pulis believes Woodgate is worth the gamble because of the experience he will bring to his back four.

And not for the first time in recent years, Pulis has received a glowing reference from Spurs boss – and close friend – Harry Redknapp over a player's character.

The Middlesbrough-born defender has generated around £38m in transfers during a career which has included stints at Real Madrid and Newcastle.

And the last of his eight England caps came against the Czech Republic at Wembley just three years ago.

Woodgate's signature is unlikely to halt Pulis's search for another defender this summer following his protracted pursuit of Birmingham centre-half Scott Dann, while Sunderland full-back Phil Bardsley is among others he is monitoring.

Meanwhile, West Ham striker Carlton Cole remains firmly on the agenda despite his decision to join his Hammers' team-mates on their trip to Switzerland.

Cole had been set to fly to Austria to join the Stoke squad after City's director of football John Rudge remained behind at the Britannia to accompany him from England.

But failure to agree personal terms with the 28-year-old former England striker has stalled the deal.

Matty Back To Full Fitness

Stoke City winger Matthew Etherington has said he will be fully fit for the start of the season.

A hamstring injury suffered against Wolves on 26 April was expected to keep him out of action for six weeks, meaning he would miss the FA Cup final.

Etherington, 29, did feature in the 1-0 loss to Manchester City and he is ready for action after a long summer break.

"It gave my hamstring time to heal properly," he told BBC Radio Stoke. "I feel good and I'm ready to go."

While he admits he was not fully fit for the Cup final, having had just 18 days to recover, he stands by his decision to come back ahead of schedule.

"It felt OK but it didn't feel 100%, I'm not going to lie," said the former Tottenham and West Ham winger. "I was just grateful that it didn't go again.

"I was taking a chance but I was more than willing to do that to play in the FA Cup final and then the last game of the season [against Wigan]. But the break came at the right time, without a doubt."

Following their defeat at Wembley, Stoke lost their last two Premier League matches and ended the season 13th in the table.

"We were disappointed not to finish in the top 10, where we felt we deserved to finish," Etherington added.

"And to lose in the cup final in the way we did and the circumstances it threw up in the end, with Robert Huth's injury and my injury, after such a brilliant season it was a little disappointing that it ended the way it did."

Pulis Rejects Whelan for Cole deal

Stoke City  have rejected swap demands from Wets Ham for striker Carlton Cole.

The Sunday Mirror says Hammers boss Sam Allardyce has hit problems trying to secure Stoke’s Glenn Whelan in the deal that will see Cole join Stoke.

But Stoke boss Tony Pulis rejected the offer and has secured straight cash for Cole.

Personal terms are now being discussed between the two parties.

Stoke Make Offer For Sturridge

The Independent says that Stoke have made a £6m offer for England U21 forward, Daniel Sturridge.
Daniel's uncle Simon used to play for The Potters and scored 14 goals in 43 starts in the mid-90s. He could persuade Daniel to join the club.

Stoke Confirm Cole Interest

Stoke chairman Peter Coates has admitted the club are negotiating moves for Carlton Cole and Jonathan Woodgate.

Striker Cole joined fellow England internationals Rob Green and Scott Parker as part of the Hammers' 26-man squad that travelled to Switzerland yesterday for a six-day training camp.

The 27-year-old has been linked with a move to the Potters since the Hammers' relegation from the Premier League and a deal could now be completed, for an initial fee of around £4.5million.

Coates said: "Cole's a player the club is interested in and Tony Pulis has liked him for a long time, we think he's a very good player.

"It's not done and dusted but it's work in progress.

"He's a player the club is interested in and Tony Pulis has liked him for a long time, we think he's a very good player."

QPR were also thought to be monitoring Cole's availability but he could now be set for a move to the Britannia Stadium, which may end Pulis' pursuit of Birmingham forward Cameron Jerome.

Meanwhile, Coates has admitted free agent Woodgate is interesting the club, with a view to a play-per-play deal being offered to the England international.

The former Middlesbrough, Leeds, Newcastle, Real Madrid and Tottenham defender's career has been plagued by injury.

Coates added on talkSPORT: "We're working on that and it's something we're prepared to do.

"It's work in progress but we're taking a risk. We hope we'll be able to do something."

Cole Passed Medical

Reports show that Carlton Cole has passed his medical at Stoke yesterday. He came down from London to have it.

The bid has been said to be £4.4m, which is better than the £20m they wanted last season. No personal terms deal has been done yet but he is expected to be joining the lads in Austria very soon.

More news as it happens.