Stoke City ponder move for goalkeeper Carlo Nash

Nash helped Stoke win promotion to the Premier League in 2008

Goalkeeper Carlo Nash has linked up with Stoke City in Austria with a view to signing a 12-month contract.

The 36-year-old, who spent two months on loan at Stoke in 2008, is a free agent having been released by Everton at the end of last season.

Stoke manager Tony Pulis wants cover for Thomas Sorensen and Asmir Begovic, following Steve Simonsen's free transfer to Sheffield United.

"I've said all along that we need three goalkeepers," said Pulis.

Nash made 10 appearances during his loan spell at the Britannia Stadium and was part of the team that helped Stoke win promotion to the Premier League.

However, a permanent move did not materialise and the former Preston goalkeeper joined Everton in the summer of 2008.

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Although released by Everton manager David Moyes at the end of last season, he was offered the chance to train with the Merseysiders during pre-season with keepers Tim Howard and Jan Mucha on extended breaks after their exploits at the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.

"Carlo knows us and we know him," Pulis told the club website. "He is a top goalkeeper who did a fantastic job for this football club during the promotion-winning season.

"He was out of contract at Everton, and he is at that age now where he is happy to be third choice for us. I know if he is called upon, he will do a fantastic job."

Meanwhile, Stoke have arranged a behind closed doors friendly against Turkish champions Bursaspor at their training base in Austria on Thursday.

The squad were not due to play any matches during their eight-day trip.

However, Potters manager Tony Pulis is happy with the progress that the team have made so far during pre-season.

"Having weighed up a number of factors, we feel this game will be a good test for us at an appropriate time in our schedule," Pulis told the club website.

"Not only was it important to gauge the progress of our fitness work before committing to a match, we also needed to weigh up the options that were available to us in terms of opposition once we arrived at the training camp."

Stoke have played some high-profile matches during previous pre-season visits to Austria, including a game against Real Madrid in 2007.

Upon their return, the Potters will take part in friendlies against Notts County, Nantwich Town, Newcastle Town, Derby County, Burnley, Bristol Rovers and Wrexham.

Their opening Premier League fixture is away at Wolves on Saturday, 14 August.