Stoke City chief Tony Scholes has cooled talk of Bojan Krkic returning from his Alaves loan this month.

Bojan has expressed his desire to return from Alaves after an inconclusive first half to the season back in La Liga and would fancy proving himself back at Stoke under new boss Paul Lambert.

But Scholes stated: “There are options that are open, but my own view is that I would see it as being unlikely.

"You never say never in this game, though, because you can often get caught out, but as I said before it is unlikely.

"The time issues are of course a difficulty, because Paul (Lambert) hasn't really got the time to go out and see the players, see how they are training and have a discussion with them.

"Also, the two players you are referring to are currently contracted to their respective clubs on season-long deals.

“Paul very much wants to work with the group he has here too, and all of his time at the moment is going into that."