Stoke eye Williams loan

The 33-year-old has slipped down the pecking order at Goodison Park in recent times and is expected to end the summer even more surplus to requirements with the 'Toffees' thought to be keen on bringing in another centre-back before the end of the transfer window.

Gary Rowett's Stoke are known to be keen on a centre-half having seen a bid for Aston Villa's James Chester turned down last month.

According to the aforementioned source, Williams would indeed be open to dropping down to the Championship, despite having made 34 appearances for Everton last season.

Should he make the move to stoke the Wales captain would bring a wealth of experience with him, having made almost 250 top-flight appearances.

Williams is now back fit having punctured a lung playing for his country during the summer.