Danny Higginbotham’s future should be sorted out by the end of the week – with Stoke’s long term interest set to rival Wolves’ bid all the way.The £1.5m-rated defender’s future still hinges on Sunderland signing West Ham stopper Anton Ferdinand.

But Stoke have been keen on the 29-year-old all summer, with Wolves’ sudden interest set to force their hand. It was thought Higginbotham wasn’t keen on returning to the Potteries club, where he was player of the year in his only season there, 2006-07.

But the only possible snag in a deal to take him back to the Britannia Stadium is possible resistance from Black Cats boss Roy Keane, who was angry at Stoke pulling out of a deal to sign keeper Martin Fulop earlier this summer when they instead opted for ex-Villa man Thomas Sorensen.

Manchester-born Higginbotham has a home in Nantwich from his time at Stoke and in the knowledge that Sunderland are determined to sign a new defender, is understood to be open to the possibility of returning to the Midlands.

Wolves remain unfussed over the rival interest, insisting the former Derby and Southampton man is one of ‘two or three’ targets.

But striker Sam Vokes insists Higginbotham is a Premier League player who would only boost Wolves’ promotion chances.

Vokes used to watch Higginbotham as a Southampton player from his Bournemouth days.

He said: “I watched him at Southampton a few times and I always thought he was a good player.

“He would be a great signing for us – he’s a good, experienced pro who has been in and around the top flight so he knows what it’s about to try to get us up there. It would be great to see him here – we’re a team of mostly young lads and someone like him would only help us.”