After a torrid start to the season, Stoke City look to be back on track, and are now just three points outside the top six after twelve league outings.

In a division where one win separates ten teams, any early season form can soon be erased with a couple of wins, and after a short international break, Gary Rowett will be hoping to continue their winning run with a home fixture against former club Birmingham City next Saturday.

His side should be doing well though, they kept the core of a very good squad and spent money in the summer as well, not least on Ryan Woods, James McClean and Sam Clucas - expectations remain high from Stoke fans, and rightfully so.

After being freshly relegated and after cashing in on the likes of Xherdan Shaqiri in the summer, the Potters will still have some money to spend in the January window, and Rowett will be definitely looking for new faces to cement a promotion push.

Here, we take a look at five players that should be on Stoke's wish-list in January...

Jack Butland's future at the club is very unsure at the moment, with the 25-year old reportedly looking to force his way out of the club in January.

Fraser Forster has become second choice to Alex McCarthy and Angus Gunn at Southampton, and he could be a perfect replacement for Butland.

The 6-foot-7, 30-year old commands his box well and would be a more than adequate replacement for the England goalkeeper.

Should a move for Forster fail to materialise, then West Ham United shot-stopper Adrian should also be on Rowett's wish-list.

The Spaniard has featured just twice for the Hammers this season, both of those appearances coming in the Carabao Cup, and at 31 years of age, he will still have a lot to offer in the latter stages of his career.

Stoke have conceded far too many sloppy goals this season, and despite having two clean sheets in their previous two league games, this only papers over the cracks and they need some new additions at the back.

Robert Huth is no stranger to the Potters' faithful having endured a six-year stint at the Staffordshire club, and remains a free-agent following his release from Leicester City in the summer.

The big German may not be the quickest, but he is a leader and would be a shrewd addition for Rowett's men.

On the contrary, a centre-half on the way up is Barnsley's Liam Lindsay.

The Yorkshire club currently have the best defensive record in League One having conceded just nine goals in their opening twelve league games, and the 6-foot-3 Scot has been a regular in the Tykes back-line.

Stoke should definitely monitor his progress.

Stoke may have one of the most clinical strikers in the division in Benik Afobe in their ranks, however with Peter Crouch as their only real, out-and-out striker as backup, then perhaps the addition of another forward wouldn't go amiss.

Nelson Oliveira's future at Norwich City is up in arms having failed to make an appearance for the Canaries this season, and could be available at a cut-price - he is a clinical striker on his day.