Stoke City must beat Millwall & Charlton in transfer race to fix Mark Robins issue | OneFootball

Stoke City are one of four clubs interested in signing Hull City full-back Cody Drameh this January

Stoke City are one of four clubs tracking Hull City's Cody Drameh, with the full-back potentially on the verge of an exit from the Tigers this January, having fallen down the pecking order under Sergej Jakirovic.

Having spent much of the season in the top six, Stoke have slumped to 10th in the league table at the halfway stage, with just one win in their last six and two in their last nine, seeing them drop in the rankings.

However, the Potters are much improved under Mark Robins this campaign, boasting the best defensive record in the league, conceding just 21 goals at this stage.

Their defensive record is all the more impressive when considering, according to FotMob, Stoke had the second-worst xG (expected goals) against record last season, behind only Plymouth Argyle, who are now dwindling towards the bottom of League One.

The only major change in their defensive line this season has been the addition of former West Ham stalwart Aaron Cresswell, who joined on a free transfer following his release from the Hammers.

However, Cresswell limped off in Stoke's 0-0 home draw to Preston North End, meaning that with Junior Tchamadeu away at AFCON with Cameroon and Eric Bocat also injured, Robins is left without a recognised senior full-back in the squad.

As the January window edges ever closer, the Potters will be aware of the areas that they are short in, and have seemingly started plans to take action.

Stoke City face EFL Championship competition for Hull City full-back Cody Drameh

According to Sky Sports, Stoke are one of a number of Championship clubs interested in giving Drameh an escape route out of Hull this January, with the likes of Charlton Athletic, Preston North End, and Millwall all said to be monitoring the situation.

Drameh has made 12 Championship appearances this season, but has dropped out of the side in recent weeks, with Hull captain Lewie Coyle being Sergej Jakirovic's preferred option at right-back.

At 24, Drameh has over 100 Championship appearances to his name with the likes of Leeds United, Birmingham City, Luton Town, Cardiff City, and Hull.

Now entering the final 18 months of his deal with the Tigers, it's believed that the Fulham youth product is open to a move away from the club this January in a bid to find some more game time.

With only Junior Tchamadeu as natural right-back competition, Drameh would likely earn more game time in the Potteries than he is doing now at Hull, but he has a tough task on his hands to fully displace the Cameroonian international.

Stoke must first fight off competition from other clubs in the Championship for Drameh's signature, though the Potters will certainly be targeting cover in the right-back position with the January window just days away from opening, with the 24-year-old being a potential option.

Stoke's recent slump can be attributed to a few issues.

In games against Coventry City, Leicester City, Hull, and Ipswich Town, the Potters were not recognisably second best throughout the 90 minutes, though they found themselves coming away with nothing from each fixture.

Up front, Manchester City loanee has struggled since his switch from the Etihad, scoring in his opening two games and a hat trick against Bristol City, meaning he has netted in just three of his 22 Championship appearances so far this season.

Robert Bozenik and Sam Gallagher have also yet to score, meaning the burden of finding goals has fallen largely on Sorba Thomas, who has been a key factor in their early success this campaign since his move from Huddersfield Town in the summer.

With the best defensive record in the league, that area of the pitch is clearly no issue, though some depth at full-back is much needed, which Drameh would add.

An extra attacker to take the burden away from Thomas may be high on Robins' shopping list, having been previously linked with a move for Louie Barry.

However, a full-back is imperative, as it now appears that Bosun Lawal and Ben Gibson, the latter of whom made his first league appearance of the season as a substitute for Cresswell against Preston, are Stoke's only available choices in that area.