Adrian Heath has backed former Sunderland boss Peter Reid's move to Stoke City.

Former Stoke striker Heath worked with Reid at Sunderland as his No2 and the Austin Aztex coach told The Sentinel: "The first thing to say about Peter is that he's a football man. He absolutely loves the game.

"People were surprised when he took the job in Thailand, but I wasn't at all. Whenever we have been on tour we've always gone out to see local games.

"He's also a players' man. He loves the dressing-room rapport and the camaraderie, and I am sure the Stoke boys are really going to enjoy working with him."

Reid still must convince the Thailand FA to release him from his contract to make the move to Stoke as Tony Pulis' new No2.