Gary Rowett has told a host of Stoke City stars they are free to leave the club in the coming weeks as he continues his remodelling of the squad.

He's told four players they can leave according to a report in the Telegraph, including club-record signing Giannelli Imbula and midfielder Charlie Adam.

Geoff Cameron and Maxim Choupo-Moting have also been told they're surplus to requirements and all four are available to clubs ahead this month's EFL loan deadline.

Former Liverpool midfielder Adam and American international Cameron have not been included in either of the match day squads for Stoke's opening two matches, with Rayo Vallecano and Werder Bremen reportedly interested in Cameron.

Choupo-Moting and £18.3m recruit Imbula are said to be training with the U23s and have also been omitted from the squads that lost to Leeds and drew with Brentford.

Imbula arrived from Porto at the end of January 2016, but his stay at the bet365 Stadium is certainly edging to a close. He was linked with a move to Roma last summer and hasn't featured for the Potters since March 2017.

He spent last season on loan at Toulouse in France as they finished third from bottom of Ligue 1.

The Verdict

The loan deadline means very little and a deal can be struck for a player to leave on loan and then be bought when the window opens. Whilst it is not entirely surprising Imbula, Choupo-Moting and Cameron have been told they can leave, surely Charlie Adam could have offered something at this level?

Imbula is unlikely to recoup much of the £18.3m Stoke paid for him, if any. It's a big hit for them to take but necessary to get him off the wage bill.