Stoke City boss Tony Pulis says central defender Ryan Shawcross is not available for emergency loan. The former Manchester United trainee was linked with a move to the Blues by a number of national newspapers last week.

Pulis says the 20-year-old will not be on his way, despite the emergency loan window opening today: "Ryan is a big part of what we are trying to do here and I have great respect for Ryan as a person and for what he has achieved with us so far.

"There's no way he's leaving this football club in this [loan] window. At the end of the window we will obviously take stock of everything at the club, but I'm hoping Ryan will have shown the right spirit, character and work ethic to get back in the team.”

Boss Jim Magilton is primarily looking to add a central defender and a left midfielder to his squad, perhaps ahead of Saturday's home game with Reading. West Ham's Kyel Reid, Middlesbrough's Adam Johnson and Chelsea's Scott Sinclair are all believed to be on the Town manager's short-list for the left-sided role, while Shawcross is the only player recently mentioned for the defensive position.

The Blues boss says he is generally pleased with the players at his disposal, but confirmed he is looking at adding to those areas and also perhaps the right-side of midfield: "I'm happy with squad but if the possibility arises then, yes, I would like to strengthen. Defensively perhaps and I think we need an outlet on either flank.

"We know Jon Walters can fill a gap there and Danny as well and we are waiting for David Norris to come back.”

Magilton says Town's only deadline day signing Jon Stead has what it takes to score goals at this level, despite his career drifting in recent years: "He has got real experience now. He was pushed into the limelight at a very early age at Huddersfield and got a big move to Blackburn.

"It seemed the world was at his feet initially, but like all young players, he had a downturn and he's had to work his way back in. We are going to give him an opportunity to do that. I've always liked him.”

The Town boss will watch the reserves in action at Colchester this afternoon (KO 2pm), with a number of scouts expected to be in attendance keeping an eye on the Blues' fringe players with a view to taking them on loan.

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