Stoke City have made contact with Martin O’Neill as they ramp up their search for a new manager.

O’Neill has been sounded out by the Stoke hierarchy and is expected to hold talks over a potential return to the Premier League.

The Republic of Ireland manager has verbally agreed a two-year contract to extend his spell with the national team but Stoke have made a move and are keen on the 65-year-old.

Stoke have been forced to abandon their pursuit of Gary Rowett after the Derby manager signed a new contract, as revealed by Telegraph Sport on Tuesday.

Rowett was a leading contender to replace Mark Hughes at the bet365 Stadium but is deciding to stay with Derby after guiding the club to second in the Championship. He has agreed an extension until 2021 which takes his salary over £1m a year.