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  1. Stoke 'in a really strong position' - Walterspublished at 11:10 5 August

    Stoke City sporting director Jon WaltersImage source, Getty Images
    Image caption,

    Jon Walters scored more than 50 goals for Stoke as a player

    Stoke City are in a strong position to be able to compete in the Championship, according to sporting director Jon Walters.

    The Potters are about to embark on their eighth successive season in the second tier since relegation from the Premier League, during which time they have failed to finish in the top half of the table.

    Walters, who spent seven years as a player at Stoke, believes their recruitment work over the summer gives them a chance to improve on recent seasons.

    "We've brought in six so far and I think the squad is in a really strong position - we've covered most positions twice," he told the club website., external

    "I feel if you look at the squad now, to where we were 18 months and 12 months ago, we're in the strongest position we've been in for a while to compete in this league."

    Stoke's highest finish since dropping into the Championship is 14th, with current boss Mark Robins their seventh permanent head coach in that time.

    "You need a squad of 24 or 25 players that are right at it, pushing each other but have that quality to compete in this league," added Walters.

    "The transfer window isn't over - we're looking to add more in but the right person who fits into our group and family of players and staff and buys into what we're doing and where we want to go."

    Stoke open the new Championship season at home to Derby on Saturday (15:00 BST).

  2. New Stoke striker Bozenik 'exciting' - Robinspublished at 16:10 4 August

    Robert Bozenik in action for SlovakiaImage source, Rex Features
    Image caption,

    Robert Bozenik has scored seven goals in 49 appearances for Slovakia

    There is still lots more to come from new Potters striker Robert Bozenik, according to Stoke City boss Mark Robins.

    The 25-year-old Slovakian international joined the Potters from Portuguese side Boavista last month and Robins believes he has the perfect attitude to be a success.

    "There's loads to come from him because he hasn't done a pre-season but he's been working on his own and that's credit to him because he looks fit," Robins told BBC Radio Stoke.

    "It's exciting, really exciting and [fellow forward] Divin (Mubama) is also working hard and really is getting little service at the moment.

    "But that will come for him because he works so hard and once the players get used to that, they'll find him and he can finish - there's no doubt about it and it's the same with Bozenik, he can finish."

    Stoke have also been linked with their former midfielder Steven Nzonzi, who is available after leaving Iranian side Sepahan.

    The 36-year-old, who made more than 100 appearances in a three-year spell with City between 2012 and 2015, is back training with the club but Robins says there is nothing to read into that at the moment.

    "He's with us, he's training and Steven's doing pretty well so we'll keep you posted," he said.

    Stoke finished their pre-season programme with a 1-0 win over Burnley at the weekend and begin the new Championship season at home to Derby on Saturday (15:00 BST)