Republic of Ireland coach Martin O'Neill is in line to be named new Stoke City manager.

The Irish Independent says Stoke are locked in talks with O'Neill and hope to announce him as their new manager as early as tomorrow.

Formal talks began last night and will continue today in the hope of securing a deal to bring the Irishman to the bet365 Stadium.

O'Neill would like his Republic assistant, Roy Keane, to be part of the deal, along with his long-time coaching team of Steve Walford, former Port Vale star Steve Guppy and Seamus McDonagh.

However, any deal would be for a permanent appointment, not a short-term tandem role alongside the Ireland job until the end of the season.