Championship side Derby County are chasing two Stoke midfielders, with Rams manager Nigel Clough keeping tabs on Michael Tonge and Danny Pugh.
Tonge has been given the green light to find himself a new club after failing to force his way into the Potters side since signing from Sheffield United two seasons ago.
The inventive left winger, who can also play on the right and in the centre, spent part of last season on loan at both Preston and Derby and impressed enough at Pride Park for the management to chase his signature on a permanent basis.
If press reports are correct Derby face stiff competition from both Rangers and Cardiff for the midfielder.
According to sources Pugh was left out of the squad to face Derby on Tuesday as the Potters management didn't want to fuel the Rams interest in a player Stoke boss Tony Pulis sees as a valuable member of his squad, due to his flexibility.
Clough has turned his attentions to the experienced midfielder, who can play anywhere across the midfield, at left back and also off the front man, to bolster his options as he attempts to juggle the financial restrictions in place at the Championship club to try and form a squad to win promotion to the Premier League.
Reports earlier in the summer had linked County's fellow Championship side Preston with a move for Pugh, who Stoke brought from North End in January 2008 for £500,000.
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