Stoke turn to Villa star

Stoke are set to turn their attentions to Aston Villa defender Richard Dunne after missing out on Tottenham's Michael Dawson.

Dawson is poised to join Queens Park Rangers for £9million and Potters boss Tony Pulis now hopes to bring in Dunne before the closure of the transfer window. Reports claim the deal would already have been completed had the former Manchester City star not undergone groin surgery but he is still expected to put pen-to-paper before August 31st. The capture of Dunne will not be the only new arrival before the deadline. The loan signing of Tom Huddlestone is all but done, while a move for Millwall midfielder Liam Trotters could also be on the cards. Pulis' assistant Dave Kemp watched the midfielder in action when the Lions took on Peterborough on Tuesday night and a bid for the player could be in the pipeline.