Everton are ready to step up their pursuit of Stoke City defender Harry Souttar.

The Australia international has featured in all but one of Stoke's opening 14 Championship fixtures this season.

A number of clubs have taken an interest in the towering 23-year-old, including Tottenham, Aston Vila and Brighton.

Everton are hoping to get a jump on their Premier League rivals by moving for Souttar in January.

Stoke have emerged as top-six contenders under Michael O'Neill and would loathe to lose one of their top defenders.