Reid set to leave Thailand for Stoke City

According to UK sports media, the former England midfielder attended Stoke's goalless draw at Birmingham City on Saturday and manager Tony Pulis confirmed that Reid may become his sidekick.

David Kemp, Stoke's current number two, is leaving his post to America.

"Peter Reid was in the directors' box at Birmingham and we are hoping to do a deal in the coming week to bring him in as my number two.

"He wants to come back to England. My current assistant, David Kemp, is going to South America to look after our scouting options down there."

Reid is currently in charge of the Thailand national team and Pulis said that negotiations were underway between Stoke and the Thai FA.

"We are hoping to get that sorted," said Pulis. "Reid will be working alongside me. He has been in the game a long time and has tremendous experience which I hope he will bring to us. He is a proper football man. He is a typical Scouser and a bubbly character. We hope matters will be resolved during the week."

Reid, who has managed Manchester City, Sunderland and Leeds United, took the Thai job in September 2008 and the south-east Asians are in the middle of qualification for the 2011 Asian Cup.

Despite those commitments, Pulis is sure that Reid will be heading home soon. "There is a minor issue about securing his release from his job with the Thailand FA but we don't believe that will present a problem for us."