Pulis retains Ba hope

Stoke manager Tony Pulis still retains hope that a deal for Demba Ba could be done this January.

The Potters had hoped to sign the Hoffenheim striker over the weekend after agreeing both a reported £7.1million fee and personal terms with the player.

But the 25-year-old failed a medical which looked to have scuppered the move, although Hoffenheim have since revealed the Potters have now made an approach to sign Ba on loan.

While the German outfit insist any deal must be permanent, Pulis is refusing to throw in the towel.