Stoke assistant boss Dave Kemp has dismissed speculation linking Ricardo Fuller with a move to Sunderland.
Stoke looking to keep club intact this month
Stoke assistant manager Dave Kemp has dismissed speculation linking striker Ricardo Fuller with a move to Sunderland.
Experienced Jamaican Fuller, who arrived at the Britannia Stadium in 2006, has reportedly attracted interest from the Black Cats in this month's transfer window.
But Kemp, number two to manager Tony Pulis, insists the Potters are keen to keep the squad together and raise competition for places.
Speculation
"That is speculation," he said of Fuller. "He is our player and he has every chance of being involved on Saturday (against Fulham).
"We want as many good players here and as much competition as we possibly can, so we are not looking to move lots of people out.
"We would like to bring one or two in to improve the quality we have."
Kemp reiterated that Hoffenheim's Demba Ba is no longer a target after the Senegalese international failed a medical at the club last week.
"He had a problem with his knee which showed up in the medical and he wouldn't be able to play next week so I don't think that is an option at the moment - but that could change at a later date," added Kemp.
"He is a good player we were interested in but for right now I don't think it is going to happen."
Kemp feels adding to the squad in January is always beneficial, as showed in their first season in the Premier League when they brought in James Beattie and he scored seven goals in 16 games to help keep the Potters up.
Boost
"We brought in Beattie and Matt Etherington in January and they gave us a boost for the second half of the season," he said.
"If we could do the same again we would do but we're not going to panic if we can't because we've got a good squad anyway.
"It gives everyone a push and a lift when someone comes in but it has to be someone who improves what you already have.
"You want competition for places and if you bring a quality player in like Carew hopefully that ups everyone's game."
