Stoke City could be set for a summer of change both on and off the pitch after another underwhelming campaign in the Championship.

There were points in the season where the Potters appeared to be firm automatic promotion contenders but their drop-off since the turn of the year has been drastic.

Michael O'Neill is under pressure in the dugout and may have even less control over recruitment if he does keep his post going into next season.

Stoke cannot spend as freely as they once did in the second tier, edging towards their fifth season since relegation from the Premier League, but with a large group of players' contracts expiring in the summer, with plenty of hungry younger players coming through, there is a chance to rebuild.

Here, we have taken a look at eight Stoke players that could be sold, loaned or released in the summer transfer window...

James Chester has been a fairly reliable defender for the Potters, amassing 70 appearances in close to two and a half seasons at the club.

At 33, and gradually regressing in his ability at second tier level, it does feel like Stoke will need to find an upgrade on Chester, particularly if they are going to continue with a back three going into next season.

Chester has not made an appearance since mid March and therefore a new deal looks very unlikely.

In the absence of Harry Souttar and after Danny Batth's January exit, Phil Jagielka has been first choice at the heart of the back three and will be pushing for a new contract at the age of 39.

If a new manager is appointed in the summer then the whole squad will be reconsidered and with Jagielka turning 40 in the opening weeks of next season, it feels like his chances of staying at the club lie with O'Neill keeping his job.

Tommy Smith was a very consistent performer in Stoke's strong start to the season and is still first choice right wing back at the club.

However, playing time has decreased as the season has gone on and with that comes some uncertainty over his contract expiring in the summer.

If other experienced players do depart in the summer the 30-year-old could be someone to keep around as he edges closer to 250 appearances at Championship level.

Joe Allen has been a crucial player once again this season, but the 32-year-old does seem to represent the failure to return to the top-flight since 2017/18.

Allen has made 35 starts in the league and it could be wise to keep him around in a reduced role, but with his contract running out and potentially a new manager arriving, the Wales international could be considering his options beyond the end of the season.

With an abundance of midfield options at the club, Allen could be one to make way.

It is most likely that Steven Fletcher is let go at the end of his contract this summer.

The Scottish striker has filled in well at times this season and looked to be building an exciting partnership with Jacob Brown at one stage, but has struggled to capitalise on the positive start to the campaign that he made.

The 35-year-old has chipped in with just three goals in the league this term, and with Tyrese Campbell and D'Margio Wright-Phillips presenting options of higher sell-on value, a new deal seems very unlikely.

Nick Powell is a particularly interesting case.

The attacking midfielder is one of the most talented players in his position in the division, but is very unreliable availability wise and that could harm his chances of earning a new contract this summer.

The 28-year-old was far more regularly available in 2020/21 and 2019/20, therefore the Potters could take a chance on him, with plenty of second tier rivals potentially interested in his services if a free transfer could be reached in the summer.

Jordan Thompson looked to be a player that Stoke could build the team around before a 2021/22 campaign that has been troubled by injury.

The Northern Ireland international provides excellent balance in central areas and would have been a good foil for the Potters' more attack-minded players this season, had he been available more often.

The 25-year-old looks likely to pick up a new deal in the summer, but nothing is guaranteed with the uncertainty over who will be in charge.

Another very strong performer at the start of the season was Mario Vrancic.

However, at 32, his drop-off, also partly due to injury, since the turn of the year could work against him in pushing for a new contract.

Stoke may want to pursue a more mobile attacking midfielder in the summer window, and getting Vrancic off the wage bill would give them a better chance of sourcing a quality replacement to improve on this season.