Calamity James to Stoke and other transfer gossip

Veteran England goalkeeper David James is set to leave Portsmouth for Stoke on season-long loan. According to reports, James is desperate to quit crisis club Pompey as he fears that the club’s problems will damage his hopes of appearing at this year's World Cup. James has already fallen behind Ben Foster and Robert Green in the pecking order under Fabio Capello. Elsewhere, Liverpool want Reading goalkeeper Adam Federici, who played in the Royals' 2-1 FA Cup victory at Anfield on Wednesday; Manchester City, Arsenal and Liverpool are all chasing Racing Santander's 18-year-old striker Sergio Canales; Tottenham are keeping a close eye on midfielder Joe Cole's contract negotiations with Chelsea, and are ready to pounce if they stall; and Birmingham are considering a fresh approach for giant Red Bull Salzburg striker Marc Janko, who stand 1.95m in his boots.