Reid is currently head coach of Thailand but was in the directors' box at St Andrews to watch Stoke fight out a goalless draw with Birmingham.

Pulis' current number two David Kemp is to move to South America as part of the club's scouting network and Pulis confirmed: "Peter Reid was in the directors' box at Birmingham and we are hoping to do a deal in the coming week to bring him in as my number two.

"He wants to come back to England. My current assistant, David Kemp, is going to South America to look after our scouting options down there.

"Peter is a typical Scouser - a very bubbly bloke who I have known for a long time. We need characters around the place with his experience.

"There is a minor issue about securing his release from his job with the Thailand FA but we don't believe that will present a problem for us."