It has been a frustrating season in a lot of ways for Stoke City and Michael O'Neill with the Potters having now seemingly fallen out of the race for the play-offs as the campaign approaches it's climax. 

Recent inconsistencies in their form has seen the club slump to 12th place in the Sky Bet Championship standings at the time of writing and they will once again be spending the following campaign at second tier level after not really getting close to the top six this time around.

There is bound to be some form of squad overhaul this summer, with the issue of managing players on high and in some cases excessive salaries sure to be high up on the agenda as the club conducts a review of it's performance over the past year.

With some players out of contract and others wanted by other clubs, there is sure to be a lot of activity taking place at the Bet365 Stadium when the transfer window swings open once more.

Here. we take a look at EIGHT players that Stoke could sell or release ahead of a busy summer transfer window...

The experienced Nigerian midfielder is amongst the higher profile of players at Stoke who currently has a contract which is due to expire in June of this year and he could well be on the move again if fresh terms aren't offered to him. A serial winner of silverware at Chelsea, Mikel's reputation speaks for itself and he will undoubtedly have offers from both other sides in England and abroad as he weighs up the next career move. Whether the Potters are keen on keeping the veteran remains to be seen however, with his wages sure to be particularly high, a factor which could see him leave for pastures new.

An experienced player at both Premier League and Championship level, Chester is a defender who has been hit and miss for the Potters and could well be shown the door this summer as the club plan an overhaul of their current squad. There's no doubting his ability and leadership qualities but the lack of consistency in his performances has left question marks over his long term future with the club and as result he could seek a move elsewhere. He is bound to receive plenty of interest in his services and won't be fazed by the fact that he may have to leave in order to better his career.

A former Charlton Athletic youngster, Cousins hasn't really made much of an impact for the Potters since arriving at the club a few years ago and would be a necessary loss if they did indeed look to move him on this summer. With the midfielder's contract currently running down towards expiry in June, he is sure to be eyeing a move back down south to where it all started for him and perhaps a return to the capital with the Addicks could well be in the pipeline for a player who is yet to really have fulfilled his true potential.

Arguably one of the club's most consistent performers over the past few seasons, Powell is sure to be wanted man this summer as he weighs up the next step in his career after another largely productive campaign for the Potters.The former Manchester United and Wigan Athletic playmaker is really coming of age and as a result he is bound to attract interest in his services from other Championship sides and potentially clubs in the Premier League as his deal continues to run down towards expiry. Stoke will clearly want to keep hold of the attacking midfielder but it may well be out of their hands.

A player who has bags of potential but is yet to really realise it, Bursik is a player who could well be on the move from Stoke if he continues to be shut out of playing regularly for the first team. Since arriving from AFC Wimbledon, the young shot stopper has headed out on loan on numerous occasions and may well now be coming to a point where he needs to seek a move away in order to establish himself as a first choice keeper at either another Championship side or a club lower down the English football pyramid. He is bound to attract interest due to his pedigree but is said to be valued at around £30 million by his club.

Another young goalkeeper on the club's books, Noukeu could well seek a move away to a club that will offer him more of a chance to breakthrough to the first team after failing to really feature for the Potters over the past few seasons. It's clear that he possesses a lot of potential and maybe a move to lower league side in England or one abroad could well do him and his confidence wonders as he bids to become a regular first choice between the sticks. The competition for places is so high at the Bet365 Stadium and for that reason a departure for the teenager appears likely.

One of several impressive young players at the club, Collins continues to be linked with a move to the Premier League with clubs such as Manchester United having been mentioned as a potentially interested party over the past year or so and as a result the Potters could well sell the young centre back for big money. Capable of playing out from the back well when in possession, the youngster is also a commanding presence in aerial situations and has all the attributes needed to go right to the very top of the English game if he continues to improve.

Another player who has been linked with a summer move away to a club in a higher division, Souttar is a player that the Potters will be keen to hold on to for the foreseeable future. The young centre back is ridiculously tall for a player of his age and has shown brilliant improvements in his all round game since arriving from Scotland a few years back. A loan spell at Fleetwood Town a season or so ago has done him the world of good and he is a firm starter under O'Neill this term. If they can't keep him this summer, he will surely go for big money.