Stoke manager Tony Pulis is closing in on the signing of Sunderland's Danny Higginbotham and is also trying to prise away Cardiff City's Joe Ledley.

Higginbotham is set to return to the Britannia Stadium for around £2.5million while a bid of around £5million has been reported to have been tabled for Ledley.

Cardiff have stressed that 21-year-old Ledley is not for sale so it looks as though Pulis may have to look elsewhere.

However, 29-year-old Higginbotham is due to travel to Stoke to discuss personal terms and complete a medical sometime this evening before singing on the dotted line ahead of the transfer window slamming shut.

Higginbotham, who can play either central defence or at full-back, previously spent the 2006/07 season at Stoke where he was also captain.

Since sigining for Sunderland in 2007, he has made just 21 appearances but has plenty of experience in the top flight which would be a huge asset to Pulis' men.

The former Manchester United player joined Sunderland in 2007 after signing a four-year deal and has made 21 appearances for the Black Cats.

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