Stoke City chairman Peter Coates has revealed manager Tony Pulis has spoken to West Ham United about Dean Ashton's situation.

"Tony has talked to West Ham and that's the stage we're at," Coates told Sky Sports News. "Whether there's any deal to be done...

"Dean was at Stoke City as a boy so it would be full circle for him.

"Tony likes him as a player but there are lots of ifs and buts about it because of Dean's (injury) problems.

"I wouldn't have a clue at this stage whether anything will come of that."