Stoke City FC

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• Manager:Tony Pulis

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Potters end Carson pursuit

17 Jul 2008 - 14:36:22

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Stoke City boss Tony Pulis has ended his interest in signing Liverpool and England goalkeeper Scott Carson.

Reports on Monday suggested Reds boss Rafa Benitez had accepted a £3.5million offer from the Potters for the shot-stopper, who spent last season on loan with Aston Villa.

It had been claimed that Carson was offered a four-year deal by the Premier League newcomers.

However, West Brom and Middlesbrough were also keen to land the 22-year-old, who has made only nine first-team appearances for Liverpool since his transfer from Leeds United in January 2005.

He spent the 2006-07 campaign on loan at Charlton Athletic and made 38 appearances for the Addicks before featuring in 36 matches for Villa last term.

Carson has started two games for England, the 1-0 friendly win against Austria in November 2007 and the ill-fated Euro 2008 qualifier against Croatia five days later.

A brief statement on the Potters' official website read: "Stoke City can announce that we are no longer pursuing Liverpool goalkeeper Scott Carson.

"The club will continue to look to improve the squad and remain hopeful of closing in on several new signings ahead of the Premier League campaign."