Collins urged to join Stoke

// A bit of a hack but it works// The article snippet is wrapped onto a second line, even when #article-sub is emptyif( $("div#article-sub").children().length == 0 ) {$("div#article-sub").remove();} Matthew Etherington admits he has been trying to persuade James Collins to make the move to Stoke. The Potters are interested in signing the Welsh defender from West Ham and the two clubs agreed a fee of around £5million earlier this week.The deal stalled over personal terms but Tony Pulis remains hopeful of bringing Collins to the Britannia Stadium.Etherington would also like the transfer to go ahead and has recommended Stoke to his former Hammers team-mate "I'm very good friends with James and I've kept in touch with him ever since leaving West Ham," Etherington told The Sentinel."He was up at the weekend with me when I told him about everything here at Stoke. I spoke highly of the club, but at the end of the day it's down to him."Great additionCollins has established himself as a key member of the Wales side as well as the West Ham team and Etherington is convinced he would be successful for Stoke.He added: "I don't really know what the situation is at the moment between Stoke and James but he would definitely be a great addition for us if we can sign him."He's an international centre-half with great attributes and he would certainly provide great competition in there at centre-half alongside Ryan (Shawcross) and Abdoulaye (Faye)."As I say, the decision is down to him, but of course I hope he joins us because he will definitely strengthen the squad."

Source: SKY_Sports