Squad numbers cut as Potters head for new destinations

STOKE City had a deadline day full of exits as Michael O’neill slashed the numbers in his squad.

Liam Lindsay, Lee Gregory and Tom Ince led the departures, with Kevin Wimmer also finding a new club after training with the under-23s – and Moritz Bauer wanted in Russia, where the transfer window is open until February 25. Lindsay has landed a loan move until the end of the season to Preston North End, where a vacancy opened up thanks to injuryhit Liverpool’s last-minute interest in Ben Davies.

The 25-year-old centre-back had not played for Stoke in 12 months and had been only linked with Hibernian and Swindon Town in the previous couple of days. Gregory has moved on loan to Derby County, having also been wanted by Huddersfield Town.

The 32-year-old striker has only just returned to training after a nasty groin injury but will be ready to immediately feature for Derby, who had been keen to bring in support for Colin Kazimrichards.

Wayne Rooney, who was also bringing in

Rangers defender George Edmundson, said: “They’re two good players, players who I like - but more importantly they’re good characters. I want this team to play with character.”

Ince has made an unlikely reunion with Nathan

Jones, who is playing with wingers now he is back at Luton Town and a system he thinks will suit Ince compared to the diamond formation he used during his 10 months at Stoke. Ince had been all-but frozen out at Stoke since the start of 2020 when Tyrese Campbell burst onto the scene as an outside right. The 29-year-old had only made two league starts and five sub appearances this season and there had been whiffs of interest in Turkey as he tries to reignite his career. He had been a key member of the attacking unit under Gary Rowett, who sold him at Derby and signed him for Stoke from Huddersfield for £10m in the summer of 2018. Wimmer has completed his third loan exit from Stoke since he played his last game for the club three years ago.

The 28-year-old centreback has been drafted in at Karlsruhe in Germany, hoping to play a part in a battle for promotion to the Bundesliga.