Championship strugglers Southampton have signed Stoke City striker Vincent Pericard on loan until the end of the season.The 25-year-old will go straight into Nigel Pearson's squad for Saturday's trip to Hull, providing the club receive Football League approval.

The former Juventus frontman joined Portsmouth in 2002 and had loan spells with Sheffield United and Plymouth Argyle before arriving at the Britannia Stadium in 2006.

But he has made just two starts for City this term and dropped further down the pecking order following the arrival of Wolves forward Jay Bothroyd, also on loan, on Friday morning.

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