Stoke's Liam Lawrence is attending the club's training camp in Dubai amidst reports that he is set to join Derby.

The 27-year-old has struggled to force a return to the Potters' first team following an ankle injury and rumours have suggested he could be heading for a January exit.

Championship strugglers Derby are understood to be admirers of Lawrence, who scored 14 goals as Stoke earned promotion from the second tier last season.

But City manager Tony Pulis has involved the former Sunderland player as his squad undergo a training break in the United Arab Emirates.

And when asked about reports linking Lawrence with Derby, Pulis told The Sentinel the rumours were, "absolute rubbish".

Stoke midfielder Salif Diao has left Dubai, though, after suffering a calf problem.

Diao, whose progress has been halted by a series of injuries, is returning home to have a scan.

Defender Danny Higginbotham is awaiting the results of his scan after suffering a similar injury in the defeat by Chelsea.