The January transfer window looks as though it could be a crucial one for Stoke City.

With Michael O'Neill's currently sat fifth in the Championship table, the return of the market in a few week's time will give the club the chance to fine tune their squad for what they will hope proves to be a successful promotion push.

However, that may well mean that as well as new players arriving at the club, there may be some members of the Potters' current squad, who could head for pastures new.

So with that in mind, we've taken a look at two players who could leave Stoke during the January transfer window.

Tom Ince

Ince made a move away from Stoke during the last January window when he joined Luton Town on loan, and a similar move this time around could make sense for the winger.

Despite scoring in the defeat to Derby, Ince has made just two league appearances for the Potters this season, otherwise being largely consigned to the sidelines.

He is also now in the final year of his contract, meaning January could be the club's last chance to receive a fee for him, and given his lack of game time this season suggests they could cope without him, it could make sense for Stoke to try and do that while they still have a chance.

Danny Batth

One Stoke player who finds himself in a rather similar situation to Ince at this moment in time, is Danny Batth.

The centre back is another who is struggling for game time in Michael O'Neill's side this season, making just four league appearances since the start of the campaign.

He too is out of contract at the end of this season, and at 31-years-old, is also approaching the latter stages of his career, meaning Batth is another player Stoke may look to receive some sort of funds for, while they still can.