Mark Robins, who took over as manager at the bet365 Stadium, is looking to “consolidate,” and Stoke City has been instructed who to sign to replace Tom Cannon.

The former Coventry manager will now consider ways to replace some of Cannon’s 11 goals for the Potters this season after Leicester City called up his top scorer earlier this week.

Brandon Thomas-Asante, a player Robins bought for Coventry in the summer, has been predicted to join Stoke, and a former player and commentator believes it would be a wise move for both the player and the team.

“He has previously worked with Robins, he is currently 26 years old, and he is far down the pecking order at Coventry,” former England international Carlton Palmer told Football League World.

Although the player’s recent performance hasn’t been stellar, Robins is familiar with him and he has previously scored 10/11 goals for West Brom in this league.

“I’m confident that a fair agreement can be reached between the two clubs because Coventry has Ellis Simms, Haji Wright, and Norman Bassette available when healthy and able to play up front.

Palmer went on to say, “I like Robins,” in reference to his chances at Stoke. He only wants to solidify this season at Stoke, so it would be a fantastic return to bring in someone he knows who can score eight, nine, or ten goals before the season ends.

“He’s a good counterpoint to the rest of the team, but he won’t be as prolific as Cannon.” He’s an excellent target guy; he makes connections and has a powerful presence.

Stoke’s decision to hire him for a fair price makes perfect sense. Frank Lampard is fortunate to have a wide range of attacking alternatives, so it makes sense for him to free up some cash to add players in other areas.

“So, it’s a good bit of business for Stoke City if they can get him in for £1.75m and as long as Coventry are sensible, I think that’s a deal that will get done.”

At his most recent press conference, Coventry manager Frank Lampard was more direct about Thomas-Asante than Robins was about his striker quest.

“He is and will continue to be our player,” he stated. Speculation will always be present. Half of the players we are affiliated to are bullshit. There is a difference between what is rumored and what actually occurs. Right now, it has no significance for me.

Azzurri mission

Italy has called up Laurence Giani, a defender for Stoke City’s under-18 team, for two age group games against Spain.

The defending European champions, the Italy under-17 team, will play Spain on Tuesday and Thursday in Florence.

The 16-year-old left-back, who qualified for Italy through his father and grandparents, was included in a first team matchday squad for the first time when the Potters played Southampton in the Carabao Cup last October.

Giani, who has been with Stoke since elementary school and was raised close to Northwich, was called up for the first time for Italy in October. On Sunday, he will join the rest of the team at Florence’s Centro Tecnico Federale.

Sam Clucas, a Stoke City native, has signed a short-term contract with Lincoln City that will last until the end of the current campaign.

The 34-year-old Lincoln native, who attended the Imps academy before playing for the Swansea and Hull in the Premier League, made over 130 appearances for the Pottes over the course of five injury-plagued years at the bet365 Stadium.

With a 12-month contract extension option, League One Lincoln’s head coach Michael Skubala stated: “This is a different type of signing, but a clever one in that Sam is ‘coming home’ towards the end of a fantastic career wanting to contribute on and off the pitch. He will add knowledge, experience, and leadership to the group in addition to his undeniable quality.”