Stoke City: Jermaine Pennant tipped to become permanent fixture at Stoke

STOKE City chairman Peter Coates will throw his weight behind a permanent move for Jermaine Pennant if the much-travelled winger proves a success during his four-month loan spell, writes Martin Spinks.

And the club supremo believes Pennant, together with fellow newcomers Eidur Gudjohnsen and Kenwyne Jones, now form the most exciting strike force ever assembled at Stoke.

WARMING UP: Stoke City's Glenn Whelan joins in a training session ahead of tonight's European Championship qualifier against Andorra.

Pennant, aged 27, has already declared his interest in a long-term move from Spanish outfit Real Zaragoza come January.

And today Coates said: "That is very much an option for us. He has real pace and ability, so we are now hoping it goes well for him and for us.

"I certainly think we have exciting players up front – the most exciting we've ever seen, I would say.

"It's long been my view that the current team is one of the best we've ever had, arguably the best ever because the top division is much more international than it ever was in the past.

"People talk about the Spanish league, but that is dominated by two teams – Barcelona and Real Madrid – who are supported by their fans and the authorities.

"The Premier League is also the most popular worldwide and that must say a lot about its strength and quality.

"That is why we wanted to strengthen this summer, and I believe the new players have greatly improved the depth and quality of our squad."

Coates, pictured right, also declared himself happy with the player departures this summer, headed by strikers James Beattie and Dave Kitson following fall-outs with City boss Tony Pulis.

"Things didn't quite work out for them here, for one reason or another," he said, "although we mustn't forget the goals Beattie scored when he first came here because they helped make sure we stayed up.

"Kitson came with a reputation after scoring 15 goals for Reading in the Premier League, but it didn't work out for him here.

"Transfers are always risks, however, and they cannot all come off."

Thomas Sorensen hopes to make his 91st appearance for Denmark tonight after shaking off a recent elbow problem in time to face Iceland in their European Championship qualifier in Copenhagen.

Meanwhile, Glenn Whelan and his former Stoke City team-mate Liam Lawrence will turn out for the Republic of Ireland in their qualifier against Andorra in Dublin.