MARK O'CONNOR has indicated that Stoke City will scour the foreign transfer market in an attempt to bring in new signings . . . despite new Premier League restrictions which are being introduced next season concerning the make-up of squads.

Though the main focus of City's transfer activity is likely to be much closer to home, O'Connor says that the Club's search for players with proven goalscoring credentials may take them further afield as they endeavour to strength the squad this summer.

The Potters' First Team Coach believes that their success in the Premier League over the past two seasons makes them a more attractive proposition.

"The longer you are in the Premier League, the more you can spread your wings further," he said. "You think one or two players will come to you that perhaps wouldn't have done so before, and that's an exciting prospect for the Club.

"Everybody's looking for that player that can get you those 15 or 20 goals and they're very difficult to come by, but we're much more of an attractive proposition now, having been in the Premier League for two years and doing so well.

"If a player is British-based, he's a good player and we can get him, we will. If he's a foreign lad and we can afford it, we'll go that route as well."

The Club have already been linked with a number of players following the end of the season, in particular strikers, and while O'Connor is understandably not prepared to mention names, he insists work is ongoing in an effort to bring in players.

"There is a certain budget and we know as a football club we have to work within it," he added. "Our defensive record was very good last year, but we need to score more goals in all areas of the pitch and we're looking to put that right."