Sunderland winger Liam Lawrence has joined Championship rivals Stoke City on loan until January. The 24-year-old Irishman is then expected to make a permanent switch to the Britannia Stadium.
The �175,000 signing from Mansfield in June 2004 was part of the team which won the Championship title in his first season at the Stadium of Light.
He scored only three goals during their short stay in the Premiership and has made 13 appearances this season.