STEVE Simonsen could be poised to move out on loan – and Brighton are one of the first clubs to throw their hat into the ring.

Simonsen is now third in the goalkeeping pecking order at Stoke following the January arrival of Asmir Begovic from Portsmouth for £3.25m.

Simonsen has been retained since then because Begovic was cup-tied, but Sunday's FA Cup exit at Chelsea now leaves him free to move out if Stoke see fit.

Brighton have expressed a genuine interest in taking the 29-year-old to the south coast until the end of the season, but are unlikely to win any race for his signature.

Simonsen is not thought to fancy dropping down to League One or moving such a long way from his Southport home, while several Championship clubs have already shown an interest in his services anyway.

Simonsen will be keen to put himself in the shop window between now and May as his contract expires in the summer.

The end of that contract would appear to finally signal the end of a successful six-year association with Stoke after already spending a frustrating two seasons as understudy to Thomas Sorensen.

Begovic's arrival would seem to nudge him further towards the exit door this summer after 187 Stoke appearances to date.

Stoke are keen to retain three keepers on their books, but may prefer to nurture a youngster as their number three.

Simonsen's only hope of remaining, therefore, might be a big-money offer being laid and accepted for Thomas Sorensen this summer to create another vacancy at the club.

But even then, both Stoke and Simonsen may feel it is time for a parting of the ways.

The former England goalkeeper would prefer to remain in the Premier League, but will be keen to start clocking up more first-team games after making just five starts and three substitute appearances since March 2008.