As the international break rolls on, Stoke City remain in the lowly position of 14th in the Championship after 17 matches.

They are one of the lowest scorers in the division with 19 goals to their name and sit right in the middle of the table - six points between both the top six and the bottom three.

With January approaching, Gary Rowett will be looking to add to his side to fire them back into form and up the table towards a late tilt at grabbing a play-off place.

There are several areas that Stoke could strengthen but it is in the forward areas where they need to bolster the most.

Benik Afobe, a summer arrival from Wolves, has scored five goals this term but none of his goals have seen him be on the winning side this term.

Journalist Alan Biggs issued an update that Sheffield United are keen on Bournemouth striker Jermain Defoe, and despite his age, he is undoubtedly a player that would score the necessary goals that the Potters need to move them up the table, should they be interested.

With that said, here are three reasons why Stoke should join Sheffield Utd in the race to sign Defoe.

Despite being 36-years-old, the striker knows where the goal is, and could certainly do a job in the Championship should he chose to drop down.

If given the ammunition, Jermain Defoe still has the ability and footballing understanding to get ahead of his man and score goals on a consistent basis.

Last year he managed four Premier League goals, which, at his age, is impressive at the elite level of English football.

In what is a somewhat inexperienced Stoke City side, Jermain Defoe would add an abundance of experience that Gary Rowett would be grateful for, should he join the race to sign the striker in the New Year.

Defoe is 36-years-old and has played in the Premier League and internationally with England for many, many years.

So he would have seen and experienced most - if not all - scenarios that can arise at a football club.

You can never underestimate what a big name can do for a club.

Should Stoke City sign Jermain Defoe, they would be getting one of England’s most natural finishers from the past 15 years, and that would give the club a huge boost.

He might not be at the level he once was but is still in peak condition to be able to give his all.

It would be a morale boost the club need and signing Defoe could be the lift needed to propel Stoke into a play-off place at least this season.