Former Bristol City goalkeeper Frank Fielding set for move to Championship rivals

Stoke City are poised to sign former Bristol City goalkeeper Frank Fielding on a free transfer, according to reports.

The 33-year-old has been without a club since leaving Millwall in the summer, but could now find himself on the books of a Championship rival.

It is likely that he will play as second fiddle to first-choice goalkeeper Adam Davies, who is also third in line with the Welsh national team.

Josef Bursik, who started the season, is out for at least three months after tearing his quad muscle, meaning Michael O’Neill adds another goalkeeper in the case of an injury crisis.

The Sun journalist Alan Nixon, who possesses a wealth of Championship knowledge, revealed that a deal had been close.

He tweeted earlier today: “Stoke. Looks like keeper Frank Fielding signing for cover. Been training. Should get done.”

Former Bristol Rovers goalkeeper Jack Bonham is also on their books and joined from Gillingham earlier this year, though he has yet to play for his new side and continues to work as an understudy to Davies.

Stoke’s newest signing Fielding only appeared once for Millwall in the league and made just two appearances for them last season over a two-year spell.

A majority of his senior playing career came at Bristol City, where he spent six seasons. The Burnley-born goalkeeper joined from Derby County after the Robins’ relegation to League One. They would spend one season in the third tier before winning the league title in 2015, with Fielding playing in every fixture.

The 2014/15 campaign also brought another EFL Trophy success, in which Fielding played in the 2-0 final win over Walsall, which gave them their third trophy, the most a team has won in the competition.

Once the move to the Midlands is confirmed, Fielding will reunite with former Bristol City manager Dean Holden who was the right-hand man to Lee Johnson during his time at Ashton gate.

There won’t be a return on the horizon though, as City don’t play Stoke until April after recently beating them 1-0 at home last week, courtesy of a Tyrique Bakinson goal.