Steve Holland is again under consideration for the Stoke City academy job.

The Sentinel says the position, which has been vacant since George Foster's departure in December, was originally earmarked for Walsall's youth chief Mick Halsall before compensation issues left him returning to the Saddlers.

But now Holland, who is 39 and was sacked in November after 16 months as Crewe manager, looks set to join Stoke after already showing an interest in the post before Halsall's aborted appointment.