Potters Bag Defender Woodgate on 1 Year Deal

Stoke City have secured the services of former Leeds, Newcastle, Tottenham, Real Madrid and England centre back Johnathan Woodgate on a 1 year “pay-as-you-play” deal. The centre back - who’s promising career has remained dogged by persistent injuries - will also have the option of extending his contract by a year should he make a sufficient number of appearances for Stoke during the 2011/2012 football season.

     Enjoying arguably the best spell of his career at his first club Leeds United where he reached the Champions League semi-final in 2001, Woodgate has more recently found it extremely difficult to settle as a first team regular at his most recent club Tottenham Hotspur. Having again struggled to find regular and consistent spells of match fitness over the last 3 seasons, Woodgate was considered surplus to requirements at White Hart Lane, prompting manager Harry Redknapp to allow Woodgate to leave the club following the expiry of his contract.

     With several clubs reportedly showing interest in the much travelled central defender, Stoke manager Tony Pulis said he was “delighted” that Woodgate had chosen to commit to Stoke City, and will move to the Staffordshire club as a free agent.

Terry May Face Bridge In FA Cup Quarter Final

Former England captain John Terry may possibly be set to face Wayne Bridge in the quarter finals of this years FA cup after his Chelsea side were drawn at home against either Manchester city or Stoke City. If City can beat Stoke in their cup replay they will then face a daunting trip to Stamford Bridge to face the might of current cup holders and Premiership frontrunners Chelsea. The draw has presented the possibility of a potential classic cup encounter between two Premier League heavyweights that would be made all the more fiery if Chelsea’s captain was to come face to face with former team mate Bridge. The relationship between the two former close friends and team mates has reportedly broken down following the publication of a report surrounding Terry’s private life concerning an extramarital affair with Bridge’s former partner - an issue that has recently been the subject of much coverage in the English sporting press and tabloid media, and that has ultimately led to Fabio Capello relieving Terry of the England captaincy. However, Bridge and his City team mates must first make their way past Tony Pulis’ battling Potters to reach the next round. The quarter final ties will take place on the 6th and 7th of March 2010.

Pressure Mounts on Tigers as Brown Fights For Hull Future

Hull City face another critical game this afternoon in the Premier League as they welcome Tony Pulis' tough tackling Stoke City to the KC stadium. Hull manager Phil Brown is under immense pressure to deliver 3 points following the recent boardroom shake up which has left the Tigers boss with a highly uncertain future at the North East club. Hull lie 19th in the Premier League table with only 3 league victories in 2009 - but a win today would see them climb out of the Premiership relegation zone and ease the pressure on the manager under who's reign the club have experienced top flight football for the first time in their history. The Tigers are however sure to be inspired by the return of record purchase Jimmy Bullard from a catalogue of injuries that have limited his first team appearances for his new club. This afternoon will in fact be the battling midfielder's first start for the Hull City.