This article is part of Football League World's 'The Verdict' series, which provides personal opinions from the FLW writers regarding the latest breaking news, teams, players, managers, potential signings and more...

Stoke City manager Nathan Jones is still looking to strengthen his squad, despite the imminent start of the new Championship season, with Crystal Palace forward Connor Wickham a target, according to Sun journalist Alan Nixon on Twitter.

Wickham has fallen down the pecking order at Selhurst Park, having made only eight appearances in all competitions last season.

So would Wickham be a good signing for he Potters?

We discuss........

Kealan Hughes

"Wickham is a very good player but he is very inconsistent and in recent years he just hasn't been able to keep fit, which would be a worry for Stoke."

"It is also a strange one given Stoke already have Sam Vokes and Lee Gregory who are similar style of players to Wickham, so he wouldn't add much different to the strike force.

"However, if Wickham could maintain his fitness then he could be a very effective option for Jones. He was a class above in his last stint in the Championship with Sheffield Wednesday and can score all sorts of goals, which is what Stoke need.

"Nathan Jones is good at getting the best out of his strikers and with the likes of Nick Powell and Joe Allen pulling the strings Wickham should have numerous chances created for him should he join."

Sam Rourke

"I'd definitely avoid this.

"Wickham is incredibly injury-prone and has not had a consistent season playing football week in, week out for a long time, so I see this is a risk for Stoke.

"Also, do the Potters need anymore strikers? They already have the likes of Lee Gregory, Sam Vokes, Benik Afobe and Tyrese Campbell, so I don't think a new forward is a priority.

"Campbell has looked bright in pre-season for Stoke, so signing someone like Wickham could have a detrimental effect on him, and ultimately block his pathway into the first-team."

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Ned Holmes

“Wickham would be a great signing for Stoke.

“The 26-year-old has Premier League pedigree as well as experience scoring goals in the Championship, scoring 22 goals during spells for Sheffield Wednesday and Ipswich Town.

“He only played 60 minutes in the league for Palace last season, so a drop back down to the Championship could be just what he needs to revitalise his career and he will likely to be hungry to get going again.

“Nathan Jones already has six strikers in his senior squad, so you would imagine that if Wickham comes in someone will have to leave.”