FORMER England U21 defender Chris Riggott is joining Stoke City while Jason Kennedy is off to Darlington, both on loan for the rest of the season.

Riggott, 27, has been injured recently but has only made a handful of first team appearances this term due to the form of David Wheater, Robert Huth and Emanuel Pogatetz.

"Chris wants to be playing football and he's been frustrated by the lack of chances in our first team," said boss Gareth Southgate.

Stoke are currently top of the Coca-Cola Championship, although they lost at struggling Preston in midweek.

"It will be a chance for him to play for a team that's doing very well," said Southgate.

"He wants to get out and pay football and put himself in the shop window. What happens in the future remains to be seen."

Stockton-born midfielder Kennedy, 21, is out of contract in the summer and will be keen to make an impression at another club pushing for promotion - the Quakers are currently third in League Two.

"Jason has been in and around the Reserves since coming back from what was a successful loan spell at Livingston," said Southgate.

"We hope he does well because it's a career path for him. It's important that we get him a club for his future.

"It's a good chance for him to prove that he's capable of being at a club like Darlington in the long-term."

Our SMS subscribers got this news first with a message direct to their mobile phones. Click here to join them!