Stoke boss Tony Pulis is not hopeful of brining Southampton striker Kenwyne Jones back to the club next season.
The Trinidad & Tobago international, 20, scored three goals in a 13-game loan spell at Stoke last season.
But after holding talks with Saints manager Harry Redknapp, Pulis told BBC Radio Stoke: "I'm not optimistic I can pull off a deal.
"His club are uncertain what is going to happen with their main strikers, Peter Crouch and Kevin Phillips."
Jones joined Southampton last summer, but has started just one Premiership game.
However, he enjoyed successful loan spells at Sheffield Wednesday - where he scored seven goals in seven games - and Stoke.