Former West Bromwich Albion striker Kevin Phillips has admitted that Cedric Kipre could well move on loan to Stoke City when January rolls around, during an interview with West Brom News

The defender has so far found himself out of favour for the Baggies since arriving from Wigan Athletic during September, meaning that a potential winter exit could well be on the cards for the 23-year-old.

It is likely that several clubs will be making admiring glances towards the former PSG youth player, however it is Stoke City that Phillips has pinpointed as being the ideal destination for the central defender, with the ex-striker stating the following:

“I think a lot of Championship teams will be looking in the January window. 

"With Stoke, you wouldn’t have to move. You could commute that, it’s only up the M6.

“They’ve conceded a lot of goals and the defence is probably an area the Stoke manager will be looking to strengthen in the January window if he’s allowed to with wages et cetera.

Hughes? Pulis? Who was the Stoke City manager when each of these 15 Potters moments happened?

“That will be a good move because if you look at where Stoke are in the league, they’re just outside the play-offs and are on a good run under Michael O’Neill. They look like they’re a club moving in the right direction.”

Kipre developed into a key player during his time at Wigan Athletic, making over 70 appearances before then departing to the Hawthorns.

The Verdict

This would be an interesting addition for Stoke if they did indeed pursue a move for the Frenchman, however with the Potters possessing a lot of depth in central defence, I fail to see where Kipre could fit in for them under Michael O'Neill.

It would represent a good move but during a January transfer window, managers want players that will be an improvement on what they already have and with the likes of Ryan Shawcross returning to fitness, I think Kipre would find game time hard to come by.

However as Phillips rightly pointed out, interest in the 23-year-old is likely to be high and for that reason I can definitely see him being on the move in January.

Whether that will be to the Bet365 Stadium, remains to be seen as Kipre continues to suffer from being out of favour at the Hawthorns under Slaven Bilic.