Francis edging towards a Stoke return

Gerry Francis, who helped the Potters last season, was back at Stoke’s training ground on Tuesday morning, hinting that he looks set to return to the club as a coach for the new season.

Francis spent most of last term helping out Tony Pulis and his coaching staff at the Britannia Stadium but there were doubts over whether he would return for this campaign.

He was back at the club’s Michelin training ground on Tuesday morning, however, ahead of an afternoon meeting with chief executive Tony Scholes.

He is unlikely to replace Dave Kemp as Stoke’s assistant manager but his return will ease the burden on Pulis, who has only had Mark O’Connor to help him with the coaching this summer.

Pulis, meanwhile, is still looking to add to his squad ahead of Saturday’s Premier League opener against Burnley, although nothing appears imminent at the moment.

The Potters have been in talks with a number of targets in recent weeks and are now waiting to hear back as they bid to strengthen a side that finished an impressive 12th last season.