by Michael Baggaley
michael.baggaley@thesentinel.co.uk

SENEGAL midfielder Salif Diao is poised to sign a new one-year deal with Stoke City.

Diao appeared to be on his way out of the Britannia Stadium at the end of last season after revealing he wasn’t happy with the club’s initial contract offer.

But the 32-year-old looks likely to commit his future to the club next week following talks yesterday.

Diao’s representative Gary Mellor, of Hanley-based agents Beswicks, said the midfielder was ready to turn down other clubs to play for Tony Pulis.

He said: “I have had long discussions with Tony Scholes, Tony Pulis and Salif, and we are 99 per cent there.

“Salif loves playing for Tony Pulis and has a great respect for him. He has had offers from Italy and France, but Tony Pulis has made clear that Salif is a big part of his plans. Salif is very close to committing himself to a further year.”

Diao was described by Pulis last season as ‘the best midfielder at the club’, but injuries – most notably a calf problem in December – limited him to 21 appearances.

He was an important player in the first half of the campaign, but struggled to retain his form and fitness in the second half.

Pulis signed Diao on loan from Liverpool in the 2006/2007 campaign before making the move permanent the following season.

Injuries have restricted Diao to 62 appearances for Stoke, but the Senegal international’s experience and influence on the rest of the squad is also valued by Pulis.

Mellor added: “Salif is very respected in the dressing room and I think that played a part in Stoke’s success last year.

“Now he wants to get back into pre-season and repeat the form he showed before Christmas.”

Meanwhile, winger Liam Lawrence could join Diao in committing to a new deal.

Lawrence was in talks with the club over a new contract last night having asked for a pay rise and a longer deal.

The 27-year-old has another year on his current contract, but wants to commit himself to the club for the next four years.

Lawrence signed his last contract when Stoke were still in the Coca-Cola Championship and has asked for a deal to reflect the club’s Premier League status.
Gareth Ekin, from Trentham, who is the chairman of the Stoke City fans’ forum, said he hopes both players sign.

He said: “Salif Diao will probably be the first to admit he didn’t have his best season last year, but if he can recreate the form he showed in his first season here, then he will be a credit to the club.

“Hopefully Liam will also sign. He was player of the year in our promotion season and then scored the goal at Hull that secured our survival last season.”