New manager Paul Lambert may be looking elsewhere for squad reinforcements this January.
Stoke City chief executive Tony Scholes has told BBC Radio Stoke that he does not envisage Bojan or Giannelli Imbula being recalled from their loan spells this month.
Spanish forward Bojan is currently with Alaves while midfielder Imbula is playing for Toulouse in France after both were deemed surplus to requirements by Mark Hughes in the summer.
There had been suggestions that new manager Paul Lambert could bring the pair back to the Britannia Stadium, with The Sentinel reporting that Bojan was keen on the idea of a return.
However, Scholes has described that scenario as “unlikely” as he does not think there is enough time remaining in the window for Lambert to give the option his due attention.
“There are options that are open, but my own view is that I would see it as being unlikely,” Scholes said on BBC Radio Stoke.
“The time issues are of course a difficulty, because Paul hasn’t really got the time to go out and see the players, see how they are training and have a discussion with them.
“Also, the two players you are referring to are currently contracted to their respective clubs on season-long deals. Paul very much wants to work with the group he has here too, and all of his time at the moment is going into that.”
Imbula has been a regular in Toulouse’s Ligue 1 relegation battle, and Bojan has scored just once for Alaves so neither player are showing form deserving of a second chance.
The Potters have already signed full-backs Moritz Bauer and Kostas Stafylidis, on loan, this January, and could add up to three more players before the deadling, according to The Sentinel.
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