Stoke end Carson pursuit

(GETTY IMAGES)

Stoke have ended their interest in Liverpool goalkeeper Scott Carson.

The Premier League newcomers were believed to be lining up a £4m move for the England international.

However, a statement from Stoke today read: "We can announce that we are no longer pursuing Liverpool goalkeeper Scott Carson.

"The club will continue to look to improve the squad and remain hopeful of closing in on several new signings ahead of the Barclays Premier League campaign."

Carson, 22, spent the whole of last season on loan at Aston Villa, who had previously expressed a desire to make the move permanent but were put off by a reported £10m price tag.

The goalkeeper - who has two senior England caps - joined Liverpool from Leeds in January 2005 but has made just nine first-team appearances for the Reds, also spending time on loan at Sheffield Wednesday and Charlton.