Ibrahima Sonko has joined Dave Kitson at Stoke City and could feature in the Premier League clash at Middlesborough tomorrow.

The Royals defender met his new team-mates this morning and passed a medical before sealing the £2million switch back to the top flight.

Sonko, top scorer with three goals this season, was signed by manager Steve Coppell from Brentford four years ago and played a key part in their Championship title season.

But their relationship had turned sour after the 6ft 3in Senegal international refused to play in a reserve match towards the end of last season.

He was suspended for two weeks and stated his intention to leave before clear-the-air talks fired him back into Coppell’s line-up this term.

Sonko, 27, is the second Royals player to move to Premier League newboys Stoke after the record transfer of Kitson for £5.5m earlier in the summer.

Coppell is now likely to turn to young defender Alex Pearce for tomorrow’s Championship match at home to Crystal Palace after his strong display in the midweek Carling Cup victory over Luton Town.