If Stoke City were to trace the origins of two of their summer signings back, they would find plenty of League Two experience in their locker.

Both Sam Clucas and Ryan Woods served their time in League Two and League One before stepping up to the big leagues.

Both set Stoke back a huge amount in the summer, money that could be saved by nipping in and taking them at source.

There's a trick to scouting lower league players, someone like Clucas didn't stand out at first, but he migrated through the divisions one step at a time.

From Hereford to Mansfield, on to Chesterfield and then to Hull. Woods leapt from Shrewsbury to Brentford, but both have accrued value by turning in solid performances.

Stoke might be looking for a bargain or two in the January break and if they are, they need to be sending scouts out to the League Two fixtures this month, because there's some real talent on display.

Here's three FLW thinks they'd do well to scout.

James was on the verge of a big move to West Brom in the summer, but that's fallen through and he's back with his parent club.

Stoke could do with watching him closely, with Ryan Shawcross coming towards the back end of his career they need a new centre half.

James is 22 and has a long and successful career ahead of him if he secures the right move.

Boateng is ready, right now, for Championship football.

He's been a leading star at Exeter City and can play in a range of positions. he's been deployed on the wing, behind the front two and even as a full back.

He's most effective cutting in from out wide, tearing defenders to pieces. He's prime and ready for a switch to a bigger club.

League Two strikers can be hit and miss, neither McNulty, Eisa nor Doidge have made a splash in the Championship this season, so far.

James Norwood is leading the scoring charts in League Two with Tranmere and he's one of those unnerving finishers who never seems to miss.

He can go 89 minutes without touching the ball, then score the winner. Goals are the currency of football and Norwood would be a good one to watch closely.