Stoke City's squad is shaping up nicely after Gary Rowett moved quickly in the transfer market to snap up Benik Afobe and Oghenekaro Etebo.

Potters fans are optimistic of a promotion push following last season's disappointing relegation.

Soon it will be time to return to pre-season training and while Rowett will know about the first-team regulars, he will be keen to run the rule over some of the fringe players in the squad and some Stoke starlets will be hoping to catch the eye in training.

As seen with Sunderland and Hull City last year, relegation does give you the chance to hand more first-team opportunities to youngsters as the Black Cats did with George Honeyman and Lynden Gooch and the Tigers did with Jarrod Bowen and Max Clark.

Likewise, there are a number of young players hoping to do the same at the bet365 Stadium.

Here are three that Rowett needs to give a chance to in pre-season.

If Bruno Martins Indi leaves in the summer, then Stoke will be short at centre-half.

But rather than splashing big cash on a new player, they could give 19-year-old Souttar a go after he impressed on loan at Ross County last term.

Ngoy is so highly rated in the world of football that Monaco were genuinely considering him to replace PSG bound Kylian Mbappe last summer.

The 20-year-old Belgium youth international is a big, physical centre-forward who will hope to make an impression after netting three goals in a half-season loan at Walsall last year.

Another young Belgian sensation at Stoke is winger Verlinden.

The 18-year-old is incredibly skilful and tipped to go far in the game so Stoke should take a look at what he can offer in pre-season.