Jon Walters influence could lean Irish striker Sinclair Armstrong towards Stoke

Bristol City have been long-time admirers of Armstrong and were on track to hatch a deal until fellow Championship outfit Stoke City upped their interest in recent days.

STRONG INTEREST: Sinclair Armstrong is linked with a move to Stoke City. Photo by Eóin Noonan/Sportsfile

Transfer activity for the Irish this summer has been sluggish but Sinclair Armstrong appears to be next striker to move after Troy Parrott.

AZ Alkmaar last week ended Parrott’s time at Tottenham Hotspur by prising the forward in a £7m switch and his former youth teammate is also likely to be leaving London behind in a multimillion deal.