Gary Rowett will be gearing up for his first season as Stoke City boss knowing the expectancy is that they return to the Premier League at the first time of asking.

The 44-year old made the decision to swap Derby County for the bet365 stadium because of the ambition at Stoke and will be looking to build a quality squad this summer.

He will be faced with some tough challenges though, with the likes of Jack Butland, Joe Allen, Badou Ndiaye and Xherdan Shaqiri all sure to depart in the coming weeks.

Nevertheless, that will provide him with additional funds in the market to build a side capable of challenging at the top.

Here we look at the new-look spine that could line up for the Potters for their promotion push...

England goalkeeper Butland is sure to leave in the summer and it will mean Stoke are on the lookout for a new stopper.

They could do a lot worse than Carson, who starred for Rowett at Derby last season. The Rams will be fight to keep hold of him but money could talk.

The experienced defender has suffered with injuries and a loss of form in the past 18 months but should shine in the second tier.

He still has a lot to offer and will hope to lead the side back to the Premier League.

Rowett has been linked with a move for Forest's Osborn and he would add real energy and drive to the midfield.

With Ndiaye and Allen set to depart, he would be a perfect replacement in the second tier and could thrive in his favoured midfield role.

Goals are a major problem for Stoke so it would make a lot of sense for them to go after the top scorer in the Championship for the season just gone.

That man is of course Matej Vydra, another who was key for Rowett under Derby.

He knows the manager, Derby may need the cash and Stoke need a natural finisher. It suits all parties.