2 players that Stoke City should swoop for before September 1 deadline ft Newcastle United's Harrison Ashby | OneFootball

The Potters should make their move for this duo before next week's deadline

Stoke City have got off to a flying start to their Championship campaign this season, currently sitting pretty at the top of the league with maximum points after three games.

Mark Robins' side this season have showcased their high morale within the group and quickly found a winning formula over the summer after a disappointing season last time out, merely finishing just two points above the drop zone.

Recruitment in the window has been spot-on for the Potters so far, with new signings showing their worth.

Welsh winger Sorba Thomas has two goals and three assists to his name already, as well as former Manchester City youngster Divin Mubama popping up with two vital goals so far, including the winner in their opening day triumph over Derby County.

However, with there still time to get a couple more names in the door, Stoke City should look at signing these two players before the window's closure on September 1.

The 23-year-old Slovakian international, Tomas Rigo, has been heavily linked with a move to the Potters this summer, with the saga seeming to have gone on for weeks now for Stoke fans who want the deal over the line with time ticking down.

Rigo has been a staple in Czech Republic outfit Banik Ostrava's side, having made 79 appearances for the club, scoring seven goals and providing 10 assists in his time there, having moved from Slavia Prague in 2023.

With a move to Staffordshire potentially on the cards, we could soon be seeing his attacking prowess in the Championship and that creative flair in the midfield that Stoke have been wanting over the last couple of years.

As well as producing high performance levels at club level, Rigo has also featured in the Slovakian national team, where he was a key part of their Nations League side last year and looks set to become a regular starter in the future.

As for Stoke, their midfield three of Lewis Baker, Tatsuki Seko and Junho Bae just in front have been outstanding early on this season.

Their current mix of youth and experience has proved difficult for the opposition to break down. Add Rigo to the frey, with his creative attributes as well as his bullish ball-winning, and he could be the player to cement Stoke's form into a genuine promotion push.

1 Harrison Ashby

23-year-old Harrison Ashby is another name that Stoke City could look to capture in the final week of the transfer window, as the young Scot can provide a solid back-up option in the right-back position for the Potters.

Stoke City have kicked off the season in great form defensively, having conceded two goals in their opening three fixtures, including a clean sheet away to Sheffield Wednesday.

The Potters have opted to play their Cameroon international, Junior Tchamadeu, in the right-back position and has proved that he is more than good enough to be a starting Championship full-back since arriving from Colchester in 2023.

However, look down the list and the right-back position for the Potters is sparse to say the least. 19-year-old and academy product Jaden Mears looks to be their back-up option, having played a full 90 minutes in Stoke's 1-0 win against League Two, Walsall, in the EFL Cup.

In the scenario of a serious injury to Tchamadeu, the responsibility would most likely turn to Mears, and with very little experience of EFL football, let alone the Championship, 23-year-old Ashby would be a solid number two option for the Potters, having made 29 appearances for QPR last season.

After coming up through the ranks at West Ham United before making the move to Newcastle, Ashby is set to be playing in the Magpies' U21's this season and should therefore be targeted by Stoke as a potential loan move would be risk-free and low-cost. A win-win situation for the player and both clubs involved in striking a deal.

Ashby has experience of playing at Championship level with both Swansea and QPR and would be shrewd business as a back-up right-back for Tchamadeu.