Stoke midfielder Tom Soares has extended his Sheffield Wednesday loan spell until January 25 - and he is free to play for the Owls in the FA Cup. Owls caretaker boss Sean McAuley said: "We have extended Tom Soares' loan agreement and that will cover Saturday's match (against Crystal Palace) in the FA Cup, so we're really pleased.

"It's good because the way he played in our last game showed that he would be a valuable addition to our squad and he's pleased to come back, so it suits everybody.

"Tom's enthusiasm and desire to play has impressed everybody, he understands the position we are in and he's not going to sit back and wait for things to happen because he wants to improve his own career."