Director of football John Rudge has confirmed Stoke's interest in Lee McCulloch, but ruled out a move for his Rangers team-mate Daniel Cousin.

The Potters have been linked with a host of players since winning promotion to the Premier League and Rudge admits the club has been deluged with agents offering them players.

However Tony Pulis has adopted a typically cautious approach so far after previously highlighting the importance of not panic-buying this summer.

McCulloch is one player that has caught the eye of the Welshman, but Rudge is unsure whether the former Wigan forward is even available.

"We are currently working on our targets for the new season and we are going through our list talks to targets, agents and their clubs," he said.

"We have a lot of names on our list and it is now a case of doing our homework and trying to get the best players who we feel would help strengthen our squad for the step up to the Premier League.

"Lee McCulloch is certainly a player who would fit the bill for the type of player we are looking at but we don't even know if he would be available.

"He did really well for Rangers and as far as we are aware he is happy up there and, as I said, I don't even know if they would be prepared to sell him."

Pulis is looking to add an attacking left-winger to his side and sees McCulloch as the ideal candidate to replace Richard Cresswell, who spent much of last season playing in an unfamiliar wide role.

Stoke have also been linked with the Gers' wantaway striker Cousin, but Rudge has ruled out a move for the Gabon international.

"We have a list of players and I am in regular contact with the manager and Daniel Cousin is definitely not on our list," he added in the Daily Express.

"We are aware he is available but he is not one of our summer targets."

Aston Villa's Marlon Harewood is still thought to be the Potters' top strike target this summer but he may yet remain with Martin O'Neill's side so Pulis is likely to shop around, with David Nugent the latest player to be linked.

City were close to landing the former Preston man on loan in January and reports suggest they will now table a £4million offer to offer him a move back to the north-west.

One man that seemingly will not be arriving, though, is Guirane N'Daw. The Senegal midfielder is determined to leave Sochaux this summer and claims he will join Nantes despite a better offer from the Premier League new boys.

However, there is better news on City's hunt for a new goalkeeper with Sunderland's Marton Fulop set to turn down a move to PSV Eindhoven to move to the Britannia Stadium, according to The Journal.

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