Stoke have made a last-ditch attempt to hijack Shay Given's move to Middlesbrough.

The Irish international goalkeeper was widely tipped to be moving to Boro after he was released from the final year of his contract with Aston Villa.

But Stoke are understood to have entered into the bidding for the 39-year-old and have now moved into pole position to sign the Donegalman.

Their current No 1 is Asmir Begovic, who has been tipped to replace Petr Cech at Chelsea, while one-time England cap Jack Butland is also on their books.