Stoke striker Ricardo Fuller is set to sign a new long-term contract at the Britannia Stadium as the club begin to step up their promotion bid.Fuller is already contracted to the Potters until the summer of 2009 but vastly improved terms have now been put on the table for the Jamaican, such is the club's determination to hold onto their star man.

City fans have feared Fuller may be a target for the likes of Bolton in January but the 28-year-old will end any doubts over his commitment to the club by penning the new deal in the next couple of days, according to The Sentinel.

Fuller ended a nine-game goal drought with a double at Blackpool at the weekend to earn himself a place in the Championship team of the week.

Meanwhile tributes have been pouring in for former Stoke goalkeeper Jimmy O'Neill, who won the Second Division title with the Potters in 1963.

O'Neill passed away on Monday at the age of 76 and City chairman Peter Coates said: "Supporters who saw him, like myself, back in the sixties will always remember what a considerable part he played in that successful period under Tony Waddington.

"He did well for the club and I will always have fond memories of him. I'm just sorry to hear of his passing, especially at this time of the year."

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