Stoke line up Nash deal

Stoke are set to sign former Everton goalkeeper Carlo Nash on a 12-month deal.

Nash joined up with the Potters at their pre-season training camp in Austria for discussions on Monday night after leaving Everton's tour of Australia.

Nash, who spent two months on loan at the Britannia Stadium in 2008, will provide cover for Thomas Sorensen and Asmir Begovic following the recent departure of Steve Simonsen.

Manager Tony Pulis has stressed that Nash is intended as an addition to the squad and any speculation that Sorensen, 34, may now move on is wide of the mark.

Pulis told the club's website, www.stokecityfc.com: "I've said all along that we need three goalkeepers, and three goalkeepers is what we will now have once Carlo signs for us.

"Thomas is very much one of those three as far as I'm concerned because of the quality and experience he gives us - and has given us for the past two years.

"Carlo knows us and we know him. He is a top goalkeeper who did a fantastic job for this football club during the promotion-winning season.

"He was out of contract at Everton, and he is at that age now where he is happy to be third choice for us. I know if he is called upon, he will do a fantastic job."

Stoke hope to finalise a deal with Nash when they return from Austria next Monday.

With Dane Sorensen still on leave after his involvement in the World Cup, he and Begovic are the only keepers at the camp in Irdning.