Stoke make transfer grabs for Sam Vokes and Charlie Austin in hope of late Premier League promotion push

STOKE boss Nathan Jones has put Sam Vokes and Charlie Austin on his wish-list this week.

Jones wants to sign a forward before Thursday’s deadline and will allow one of Saido Berahino, Peter Crouch and Benik Afobe to leave.

Striker Vokes, 29, has been behind Ashley Barnes and Chris Wood in the pecking order at Burnley.

And Austin, 29, has been told he can leave Southampton, although he would prefer to stay in the Prem. Wolves also fancy the ex-QPR striker.

Austin’s exit will continue Saints boss Ralph Hasenhuttl’s swift work in reshaping his squad. Manolo Gabbiadini, Wesley Hoedt and Cedric Soares have all left this month.

Stoke's promotion hopes for the Premier League took a battering as they fell to a 2-0 home defeat to Preston on Saturday.

Alan Browne and Brad Potts scored goals in either half as Preston beat Stoke 2-0 in the Sky Bet Championship to get their first win at City in more than 20 years.

Browne fired home after 20 minutes before Potts made the game safe 10 minutes from time to end North End's seven game winless streak at Stoke.

But the visitors had to withstand spells of second-half pressure with Declan Rudd pulling off two brilliant saves from Sam Clucas, including a 90th-minute penalty.

Joe Allen also had a shot cleared off the line before Potts finished off a brilliant counter attack to seal the win.