Of greater concern is the permit application for Jamaican midfielder Rudolph Austin. Stoke applied for a permit for Austin last summer but were denied as he had not played the required number of games due to injury. This summer, despite having now played the required number of matches, Jamaica have slipped down the world rankings meaning a work permit is much harder to obtain.
Chief Executive Tony Scholes, manager Tony Pulis and Director of Football John Rudge all went to put the case for Austin today, and the club are now awaiting the decision of the panel. If the decision goes in Stoke's favour it will allow Austin, who has been training with the Potters all summer, to complete his £1m move from Portmore United.