Stoke defender Danny Higginbotham appreciates new faces are needed at the Britannia Stadium if the Potters are to progress in the top flight. Stoke are reported to be pursuing Birmingham duo Scott Dann and Cameron Jerome, among others, and Higginbotham is pleased boss Tony Pulis is trying to strengthen, even if that puts established players' positions under threat.
"In this division, you have to bring in new players just to stand still," he told The Sentinel.
"If Ryan Shawcross or Robert Huth were to get injured at the start of the season then we would be short of central defenders.
"The last thing we need is not to have that position covered. It is all about the team.
"We are competing in Europe as well as hoping to do well in the Premier League, so we need a bigger squad."
