United eye Shawcross return

Stoke's Ryan Shawcross is attracting attention from several Premier League clubs - with old club Manchester United leading the way.

The Potters captain has improved steadily over the past 12 months and his impressive form was recognised with a call up for England in the recent World Cup qualifiers against San Marino and Poland. The centre-back, who only has 18 months left on his current deal at the Britannia Stadium, is being tracked by United but Chelsea and Spurs are also said to be keen and the defender would be interested in a switch to a club who can compete for Champions League qualification on a regular basis. United boss Sir Alex Ferguson is leading the race for his signature at the minute as he ponders making a January bid with injuries to Nemanja Vidic, Phil Jones and Chris Smalling disrupting his back-line so far this season. Stoke boss Tony Pulis does not want to lose the influential 25-year-old but knows if United make an offer in excess of £10million then it may be hard to stand in the player's way. Shawcross would be open to a return to Old Trafford after leaving them for an initial loan spell at Stoke back in 2007 that was then turned into a permanent move.