Martin O’Neill’s immediate future, both as manager of Ireland and prospective manager of Stoke City, hangs in the balance as the Premier League club closes in on naming a successor to Mark Hughes.

"It’s going to be a really interesting few days no matter what the outcome is."

The Football Association of Ireland could be about to lose Martin O’Neill from their grasp after the Ireland manager last night held what was understood to be a productive meeting with Stoke City about their managerial vacancy.

Martin O’Neill has moved into pole position to become Stoke City manager but the club’s board are understood to be split on their choice of the Ireland boss.

Middlesbrough have appointed Tony Pulis as manager following the departure of Garry Monk.

Liverpool have finally kick-started their summer recruitment drive in earnest after completing a deal for Roma winger Mohamed Salah.

Stoke manager Mark Hughes’ position is not under threat despite another disappointing end to the season, but veteran midfielder Glenn Whelan’s nine-year stay may be coming to an end.

Jon Walters is the latest injury worry for Ireland after Martin O’Neill, in attendance at the Britannia Stadium, saw him limp off the pitch as Stoke City dumped Chelsea out of the League Cup on Tuesday night.

Republic of Ireland international striker Jon Walters has turned down a new contract at Stoke and hit out at the terms of the deal he was offered.

RAVENS, according to a study in the US state of Idaho, are changing their behaviour. These huge crows used to live only around mountains, desert anyons and sea cliffs. Now they are nesting on phone masts, buildings and steel towers.

Mark Hughes believes Stoke have provided Stephen Ireland with the “stability” in his life to get his career back on track.

Crystal Palace manager Tony Pulis has revealed Alex Ferguson was a key influence in his decision to take on the job at a time when he had considerable doubts about it himself.

Stoke have lost an appeal against Jonathan Walters’ red card in the 1-1 draw with Norwich on Saturday, the Football Association said last night.

Stoke chairman Peter Coates plans to make an official complaint regarding the performance of referee Martin Atkinson in their 5-1 loss to Newcastle on St Stephen's Day.

Stephen Ireland believes being reunited with Mark Hughes will revitalise his career.

Tony Pulis’ seven-year reign as Stoke manager has officially come to an end after he and the club agreed to part company by mutual consent.

Stoke manager Tony Pulis is set to leave the club after almost seven years in charge, according to reports.

FIFA’s former head of security Chris Eaton is not aware of any “credible evidence” of match-fixing in the English domestic game but warned the national authorities to remain vigilant against the threat.

Stoke have signed a new three-year shirt sponsorship contract with bet365 which chief executive Tony Scholes believes can only help the club’s future development.

Stoke have made their "last bid" to Tottenham for striker Peter Crouch and midfielder Wilson Palacios, according to Potters chairman Peter Coates.

Stoke have agreed a fee with West Ham for striker Carlton Cole.

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

Stoke are close to agreeing a fee with Birmingham for Scott Dann and Cameron Jerome but chairman Peter Coates admits personal terms may still be a stumbling block.

Ecstatic chairman Peter Coates believes Stoke deserve great credit for progressing to the FA Cup final because of the amount of money in the top flight.

Former Republic of Ireland and Stoke winger Terry Conroy has left intensive care after an improvement in his condition following emergency surgery on Sunday.

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Stoke boss Tony Pulis has hailed the all-round impact Jon Walters has made at the club since joining from Ipswich in August.

Stoke boss Tony Pulis has indicated talks are to get under way between the club and Jermaine Pennant about making the winger’s loan move from Real Zaragoza permanent in January.

Stoke goalkeeper Asmir Begovic has denied claims that he went on strike in an effort to engineer a move away from the Britannia Stadium.

Stoke chairman Peter Coates confirmed the club were trying to tie up a deal to take former Chelsea and Barcelona striker Eidur Gudjohnsen on a season-long loan from Monaco.

Stoke chairman Peter Coates has revealed the club have rejected an offer from Chelsea for goalkeeper Asmir Begovic.

ARSENAL have played their Premier League rivals off the park when it comes to finances, with the club slashing borrowing and scoring a sharp rise in profits.

Stoke chairman Peter Coates has confirmed the Potters remain keen to sign Real Madrid striker Ruud van Nistelrooy.

Stoke striker James Beattie has apologised to manager Tony Pulis after an alleged dressing-room bust-up, it is understood.

Revolutionary plans for a two-tier Premier League including Celtic and Rangers are unlikely to receive widespread backing at a chairmen’s meeting tomorrow but the proposals could spark fresh calls for a change to the distribution of TV cash among top-flight clubs.

Stoke manager Tony Pulis is chasing five new signings before the end of the transfer window.

Ricardo Fuller has accused Andy Griffin of being “very rude and disrespectful” in the episode which led to the Stoke striker being sent off for slapping his team-mate in the defeat against West Ham.

Stoke chairman Peter Coates has reiterated his determination to strengthen the club’s playing staff during the transfer window.

Stoke chairman Peter Coates has condemned Ricardo Fuller’s behaviour but indicated that the striker still has a role to play at the club despite some fans calling for the striker to be sacked.

ARSENAL manager Arsene Wenger yesterday accused Stoke defenders Rory Delap and Ryan Shawcross of deliberately injuring Theo Walcott and Emmanuel Adebayor.

LONG before the phrase ‘doing a Derby’ became the voguish term to describe abject failure in the Premier League, Stoke City had cornered the market in top-flight under-achievement.

Tony Pulis has been dismissed from his position as Stoke manager after two-and-a-half years in charge at the Britannia Stadium.