Mixed transfer news for Pulis

Stoke have agreed a deal to take Danny Higginbotham back to the club from Sunderland, but Cardiff snubbed a £5m bid for Joe Ledley.

Potters boss Tony Pulis has been chasing 29-year-old Pulis in the build up towards Monday's transfer deadline and has finally succeeded with a bid in the region of between £2m and £2.5million. It will mark a return to the Britannia Stadium for Higginbotham, who started 45 league games with the Potters before being sold to the Black Cats a year ago.

Sunderland boss Roy Keane was reluctant to allow Higginbotham to leave, but following his transfer deadline day swoop for West Ham's George McCartney, it has paved the way clear for a deal to be done with Stoke.

Meanwhile Cardiff have confirmed that Stoke have made a bid for highly-rated 21-year-old midfielder Ledley, but the offer was turned down.

A statement on the club's website read: "Cardiff City can officially confirm that we have received a bid for midfielder Joe Ledley.

"We have spoken to the player and the club concerned to reinforce the fact Joe Ledley is not for sale and is an integral part of our squad."

Stoke are still on the look out for more new faces and Pulis has been linked with a swoop for Ipswich Town forward Jon Walters. And, following the Tractor Boys wrapping up a deal to take Sheffield United hitman Jon Stead to Portman Road on Monday, it would be no surprise he did sign.