Stoke City are in advanced talks to sign Hull City full-back Cody Drameh on loan. (Sky Sports), external
The 24-year-old joined The Tigers from Leeds United in July 2024.
Want more transfer news from the EFL? Take a look at Wednesday's gossip column here.
Pearson: 'We can see where we are going'
Ben Pearson hopes Stoke have turned the corner and can look forward to the Championship run-in with excitement.
The Potters picked up just one win, and four points from seven games either side of Christmas, to drop to 10th in the Championship, as low as they have been all season.
However three straight wins in January - league victories at Hull and Norwich, then Saturday's FA Cup win over Coventry - keeping a clean sheet in each, have lifted spirits at the bet365 Stadium.
Midfielder Pearson told BBC Radio Stoke: "We're in a good place. December was a tough month, not the results we wanted, but the performances have still been reasonably good.
"As long as performances are good, results will start to come and you've seen that over the past three games.
"Confidence is high, we're in a good place. We can see where we are going, there's positivity and excitement about where the season can go.
"We've got something to play for this year. There's no real big-hitters in the league - it's very even. There are probably 10 teams who could all get in those play-offs spots. We've played everyone now and there aren't many teams better than us on our day."
QPR and Middlesbrough head to the Potteries on Saturday and Wednesday respectively and the 31-year-old added: "Winning breeds winning. We have got two home games and we're looking to take maximum points."
Fans will also get to enjoy a home tie in round four of the FA Cup after Saturday's dramatic win over the high-flying Sky Blues ensured a home meeting with Premier League Fulham.
"It's a good draw. Home is handy," said Pearson. "It's a Premier League team, not to be sniffed at. It's a good opportunity to go through, it's not a Man City or Arsenal, a big glamorous tie, it's one that's against really good opposition but we can try to go through."
Southampton keeper Gavin Bazunu is a target for Stoke following Viktor Johansson's injury, with a loan deal for 23-year-old Republic of Ireland international in the offing with a clause to make the move permanent in the summer. (Irish Independent, external)
Want more transfer news from the EFL? Take a look at Monday's gossip column here.
Image source, Getty ImagesThe 2025-26 FA Cup fourth-round draw will take place on Monday, 12 January at approximately 18:35 GMT.
Proceedings will take place before kick-off in the third-round tie between Liverpool and Barnsley at Anfield.
Former England internationals Steven Gerrard and Joe Cole will conduct the draw that will consist of 32 teams live on TNT Sports.
Supporters can also follow the draw on the BBC Sport website and app.
All matches will be played around the weekend commencing Saturday, 14 February.
Unlike in previous years, there are no replays if matches end as a draw. All ties will go to extra time, and if necessary, a penalty shootout.
Non-league Macclesfield are the lowest-ranked team in the draw after beating holders Crystal Palace in a remarkable 2-1 victory.
What are the ball numbers?
1. Wolverhampton Wanderers
2. Southampton
3. Aston Villa
4. Port Vale
5. Wigan Athletic
6. Ipswich Town
7. Wrexham
8. Chelsea
9. Manchester City
10. West Ham United
11. Brentford
12. Fulham
13. Sunderland
14. Liverpool or Barnsley
15. Burnley
16. Norwich City
17. Arsenal
18. Leeds United
19. West Bromwich Albion
20. Salford City or Swindon Town
21. Burton Albion
22. Grimsby Town
23. Hull City
24. Newcastle United
25. Oxford United
26. Leicester City
27. Birmingham City
28. Bristol City
29. Stoke City
30. Macclesfield
31. Brighton & Hove Albion
32. Mansfield Town
Pundits Dion Dublin and Rob Green join host Jason Mohammad to bring you the action and talking points from Friday and Saturday's FA Cup ties.
And listen back to full match commentaries on BBC Sounds:
Mark Elliott
BBC Radio Stoke's Stoke City commentator
Image source, Rex FeaturesDespite losing the consensus pick as the best goalkeeper in the Championship and all of their recognised full-backs, Stoke City's defence keeps keeping clean sheets.
Ashley Phillips and Ben Wilmot have been immense at the heart of a back four that has become ever more patched up and were again in the FA Cup against Coventry.
The players who have covered at left and right-back have done so bravely and intelligently.
The biggest compliment anyone can give Tommy Simkin is that the young goalkeeper has not looked out of place since replacing the injured Viktor Johansson.
He made a couple of smart saves against Coventry and will take immense confidence from the way he has acquitted himself over the past few weeks, never looking out of place.
It is very difficult to succeed long term in the face of such issues, but two league wins and another in the FA Cup have left Stoke in a much better position than anyone could reasonably expect given the circumstances.
But this was not a backs-to-the-wall performance by any means.
Stoke created five or six clear-cut chances, had a goal ruled out for a close offside and Lamine Cisse's brilliant winner deserved to be decisive.
Having taken time to adapt to English football, Cisse is offering a realistic alternative to the established Million Manhoef now as a genuine option in attack.
Coventry hit the woodwork twice and had moments of their own but cannot claim they were hard done by.
They are obviously an excellent Championship team and with players on their way back from injury and the transfer window still open, Stoke have once again shown that a cup run and a place in the play-offs are there for the taking.
Robins: 'The goal was deserving of winning any match'
Stoke manager Mark Robins hailed the "perfection" of Lamine Cisse's late winner against Coventry City in the FA Cup third round.
Robins told BBC Radio Stoke: "We had some good chances and good play, and didn't take them. Then you're almost waiting for a sucker punch, and it almost came in the second half as they hit the post a couple of times.
"The goal was deserving of winning any football match because the technique and the strike were perfect. It was brilliant to see it hit the back of the net.
"We're down to the bare bones and I'm trying to give people rests, but they had a really strong team out there and we managed to fashion chances for ourselves.
"We have seven players out - Junior Tchamadeu went down with an injury last night and I'm hoping he's going to be OK. We don't know yet."
There are 18 third-round ties in the FA Cup on Saturday - 16 involving Premier League and Championship teams, who all enter the competition at this stage - and BBC Sport will bring you every moment.
Cheltenham v Leicester (12:15) - BBC Radio Leicester
Everton v Sunderland (12:15) - BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra 2
Macclesfield v Crystal Palace (12:15) - BBC iPlayer, BBC Radio 5 Live & BBC Radio Manchester
Wolves v Shrewsbury (12:15) - BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra 3 & BBC Radio WM
Boreham Wood v Burton Albion
Burnley v Millwall - BBC Radio London
Doncaster v Southampton - BBC Radio Solent
Fulham v Middlesbrough - BBC Radio 5 Live
Ipswich v Blackpool - BBC Radio Suffolk
Man City v Exeter City - BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra
Newcastle v Bournemouth - BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra 2 & BBC Radio Newcastle
Salford P-P Swindon
Sheff Wed v Brentford
Stoke v Coventry - BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra 3, BBC Radio Stoke & BBC Radio CWR
Bristol City v Watford (17:45) - BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra, BBC Radio Bristol and BBC Three Counties Radio
Cambridge United v Birmingham (17:45) - BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra 2
Grimsby v Weston (17:45)
Tottenham v Aston Villa (17:45) - BBC iPlayer, BBC Radio 5 Live and BBC Radio London
Charlton v Chelsea (20:00) - BBC Radio 5 Live and BBC Radio London
Kick-off times 15:00 GMT unless stated
Follow all of the action and reaction here
And find out how to follow the FA Cup across the BBC this weekend here
You can also listen to today's 5 Live commentaries on most smart speakers. Just say "ask BBC Sounds to play Fulham v Middlesbrough" or "ask BBC Sounds to play Tottenham v Aston Villa", for instance.
Find out more about how to listen to football on BBC Sounds
Image source, Getty ImagesJunior Tchamadeu started four of Cameroon's five games at Afcon
Stoke City full-back Junior Tchamadeu saw his first Africa Cup of Nations campaign with Cameroon end in painful fashion.
The 22-year-old was carried off on a stretcher with a knee injury after just 24 minutes of their quarter-final defeat by the hosts Morocco in Rabat.
Tchamadeu, who scored his first senior international goal in a 2-1 win over South Africa earlier in the competition, was injured after Morocco's Manchester United defender Noussair Mazraoui accidentally landed on his knee following a challenge.
Morocco won the game 2-0 and will now face either Algeria or Nigeria in the semi-finals on Wednesday, 14 January (20:00 GMT).
Stoke host Coventry in the FA Cup third round on Saturday (15:00 GMT) but the Potters will now be concerned as to the severity of Tchamadeu's injury when he returns to England.
Image source, ShutterstockAndre Vidigal scored five of his seven goals for Stoke in his first six games
Stoke City have announced forward Andre Vidigal has left the Championship club by mutual consent.
The 27-year-old Angola international joined the Potters from Portuguese side Maritimo before the start of the 2023-24 season on a three-year contract.
Vidigal went on to make 43 appearances for Stoke - and scored seven times - but has not played a league game since December 2024.
His last appearance for Stoke was against Cardiff City in the FA Cup last February.
Stoke City full-back Eric Bocat is wanted on loan by Belgian club Standard Liege with a view to a £1.6m move, but the Potters want the 26-year-old Frenchman to stay. (Sacha Tavolieri, external)
Want more transfer news from the EFL? Take a look at Thursday's gossip column here.
Image source, ShutterstockNathan Lowe has played 24 times for Stoke City in the Championship and has scored two goals
Promising Stoke City striker Nathan Lowe is back with the Championship club after injury cut short his loan spell with League One Stockport County.
The 20-year-old Potters' academy graduate has been struggling with a leg injury that has kept him out of action since Stockport's defeat by Lincoln on Boxing Day and will now continue his rehabilitation at Stoke's Clayton Wood training base.
Lowe had a stunning spell in League Two in the first half of last term with Walsall, where he scored 15 goals in 22 games, winning the division's young player of the year award.
He has again shown his potential with County in this campaign by scoring seven times in 26 appearances, with 14 of those starts.
Stockport said on their website:, external "We thank Nathan for his contribution during his time at Edgeley Park, and wish him well in the future."
Image source, Getty ImagesInjuries have limited Sam Gallagher to 10 starts for Stoke since joining from Blackburn in July 2024
Stoke City striker Sam Gallagher says he is still short of full match fitness after scoring his first goal in 10 months.
The 30-year-old, who missed the first three months of the season through injury, opened the scoring in Stoke's 2-0 win away to Norwich on Sunday.
Since returning to action in late November, Gallagher has made nine successive substitute appearances before making his first start against the Canaries.
"I've been managed through this tight period, but I'm getting my legs back," he told BBC Radio Stoke.
"I think my start the other day was the first since the start of May so it's been a while.
"I still feel I'm not feeling as confident or as match fit as I want to be, but the more that I can play and the more that I can help the team, the happier I am."
Gallagher admitted his first goal in 10 months helped to relieve feelings of guilt for his part in the Potters' 1-0 defeat at Watford on 20 December.
"Scoring that goal at Watford away and being offside was a big disappointment, and then feeling responsible for the goal at the other end was a bit of a knock because I want to help the team defensively as much as I do scoring goals," he added.
"I was quite hard on myself after that game, so to get one and it's not chalked off is a good feeling for sure."
Image source, Getty ImagesSolihull Moors have extended their loan deal for Stoke City's Darius Lipsiuc until the end of the season.
The Republic of Ireland Under-21 international has scored four goals in 21 appearances for the National League side this eason.
The 20-year-old has been on the books at Stoke for two years, having joined the Potters from St Patrick's Athletic in January 2024.
Image source, Getty ImagesJunior Tchamadeu is playing in his first major tournament for Cameroon
Stoke City defender Junior Tchamadeu scored his first senior goal for Cameroon to help them reach the quarter-finals of the Africa Cup of Nations.
The 22-year-old scored the opening goal as the Indomitable Lions beat South Africa 2-1 in Rabat.
Tchamadeu was on hand to score from close range in the 34th minute after South Africa failed to clear a corner.
It was the Stoke right-back's eighth appearance for Cameroon, with Bayer Leverkusen striker Christian Kofane adding a second goal just after half-time before South Africa grabbed a late consolation.
Cameroon will now face the hosts, Morocco in the last eight on Friday, 9 January (19:00 GMT).
