Friday 8 June 2018 09:15, UK
Stoke manager Gary Rowett hopes his arrival at the bet365 Stadium will help to reignite Saido Berahino's career.
Berahino is yet to score for the Potters in 30 first-team appearances since joining the club in a £15m move from West Brom in 2017.
The 24-year-old, who was once linked with Tottenham and Liverpool, was accused of being too unfit to play for Stoke by former manager Paul Lambert in March.
However, Rowett, who was appointed as Lambert's successor last month, believes Berahino still has a future at the club and is willing to give the former England U21 international a fresh start.
"Saido contacted me straight away in fairness and wanted the opportunity to speak to me so I will do that next week," said Rowett.
"I'm aware of his situation, I'm aware of some of the things he needs and needs to do better and I will view any of those things as a blank canvas.
"But at the same time any of those players will have to do certain things, they will have to fit certain parameters and that they will have to match certain standards for me to have them in the squad for next season.
"But when you look at someone like Saido's quality - I had a similar situation with [Matej] Vydra at Derby - where he hadn't had a very good season so you look and ask if you can reignite some of those players."
