There are likely to be departures too…….

Steven Schumacher is still looking to further strengthen his squad after signing three players in the close season.

Stoke City have already brought in Viktor Johansson, Ben Gibson and Eric Bocat ahead of the first day of pre-season at Clayton Wood on Monday.

There are likely to be departures too, with the club believed to have started to field inquiries as business starts to speed up across the division. It is an encouraging start but just the start, with a forward or two still on the agenda.

Head coach Schumacher said: “Recruitment is going ok. As you can imagine we’ve got a few things in the fire but like everybody we’re still trying. It’s a slow process, especially in this Championship but we won’t be done from now.”

Stoke’s senior squad is looking a lot more healthy than this time last year, when none of the 18 signings that would join during the summer window had yet arrived.

But Schumacher and sporting director Jon Walters will have to bear in mind a long-term injury for midfielder Ben Pearson while Ryan Mmaee is not expected to be fit until the final week of pre-season.

Stoke City squad as it stands
Players who have played league minutes at Stoke or out on loan

GK: Viktor Johansson, Jack Bonham, Frank Fielding, Tommy Simkin

RB: Junior Tchamadeu, Lynden Gooch

LB: Enda Stevens, Eric Bocat, Liam McCarron

CB: Ben Gibson, Michael Rose, Ben Wilmot, David Okagbue, Matthew Baker

CM: Wouter Burger, Josh Laurent, Jordan Thompson, Lewis Baker, Ben Pearson, Daniel Johnson, Sol Sidibe

RW: Million Manhoef, Mehdi Leris, Nikola Jojic

LW: Bae Junho, Andre Vidigal

CF: Ryan Mmaee, Niall Ennis, Nathan Lowe, Emre Tezgel