By Euan Robertson
English Championship side Stoke City are poised to make a January swoop for Motherwell’s Stephen O’Donnell.
The Scotland international is out of contract at the end of the month and has been non-committal about extending his stay with the Lanarkshire side.
Both parties are understood to be relaxed about the situation but O’Donnell has attracted the attention of Stoke boss Michael O’Neill.
The former Northern Ireland manager, who famously turned down the Scotland job, has a family home in Edinburgh and is extremely knowledgeable on football north of the border.
Wishaw native O’Donnell is comfortable as a right back or right-wing back, where he plays for the national team under Steve Clarke, and would fit perfectly in O’Neill’s 3-5-2 formation at the Potters.
Former Manchester City youth player Tommy Smith has been deployed at right-wing back in recent weeks and O’Donnell would be expected to provide fierce competition for that role. Youngster Nathan Collins has also filled in at right-back this season in Smith’s absence.
Various English Championship clubs have scouted O’Donnell this season but a guarantee of regular minutes will be a crucial factor in the 28 year-old’s decision ahead of the Euro’s this summer.
Stoke are currently on the edge of the play-off positions in the English Championship in eighth place and O’Donnell can expect a wage rise if O’Neill makes the move.
The former Kilmarnock player has been virtually ever-present this season making 17 league appearances as Motherwell have struggled for form.
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