UK Football Academy

After avoiding the drop in their debut Premier League season, Stoke defied the critics once again by comfortably retaining their top-flight status.

With the help of a raucous home crowd and Rory Delap’s ridiculously long throw, the Potters bombarded their way to a mid-table finish.

Off the field problems involving star striker James Beattie threatened to derail their season around Christmas, but boss Tony Pulis helped retain the excellent work ethic and team spirit which has served them so well.

Matthew Etherington, Ryan Shawcross and Ricardo Fuller starred for much of the season, while new signings Robert Huth and Tuncay showed glimpses of what’s to come.

In Florent Cuvelier (Portsmouth, Undisclosed), Carlos Nash (Everton, free)

Out Andy Griffin (Reading £250,000), Steve Simonsen (Sheffield United, Free), Nathaniel Wedderburn (Northampton Town, Free), Diego Arismendi (Barnsley, Loan), Ibrahima Sonko (Portsmouth, Loan), Amdy Faye (Released) Player to watch Football.co.uk verdict Prediction – 13th

Player to watch Matthew Etherington

Now reformed after his addiction to gambling, Etherington has revived his career at Stoke.

The former West Ham man refound his best form last season, proving a constant attacking threat for a side sometimes devoid of pace and flair.

His ability to take on opponents and both create and score goals will be vital if Stoke are to continue their progression.

Chinese businessman Kenny Huang is one of “several” potential buyers to submit a bid to Liverpool chairman Martin Broughton, BBC Sport understands.

Huang, who is the head of Hong Kong-based investment company QSL Sports Ltd, values the club at about £325m.

But it is understood that as many as six bids were submitted last week.

Broughton and investment bank Barclays Capital, who are leading the sale, will elect a preferred bidder by the end of next week.

Huang has been talking for several weeks to representatives of the Royal Bank of Scotland, with the aim of taking full control of the Reds, who have been up for sale since April this year.

Liverpool’s main creditor, RBS is owed about £237m by American co-owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett.

While RBS has told the BBC it is not negotiating directly with Huang, it is understood he is mounting a credible bid.

Huang is offering to clear Liverpool’s debt to RBS, and give new manager Roy Hodgson funds to do business in the transfer window.

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