Stoke step up chase for Lens striker Aruna Dindane

Stoke have stepped up their chase for Ivory Coast star Aruna Dindane .

Boss Tony Pulis wants the Lens striker to boost City's relegation fight - and chairman Tony Scholes has visited the French club for talks. Pulis sent spies to watch £6million-rated Dindane return to action in Lens' 3-1 loss at Boulogne on Thursday.

It was the 28-year-old's first game after an eight month injury lay-off. Lens president Gervais Martel will let Dindane go, with his club short of funds following relegation last year.

Stoke hit just 18 goals in their first 20 Premier League games, and Pulis will break the club's transfer record to land Didier Drogba's international strike partner.