Stoke City are closing on a deal for Rangers midfielder Jamie Ness.

The Sentinel says the club have been making sure they've got a strong legal case for signing the 21-year-old as a free agent following threats of compensation demands from north of the border.< p> Ness has exercised his right to terminate his contract with the soon-to-be liquidated Rangers. However, that has prompted threats of legal action from Charles Green, whose consortium will set up a new Rangers club and want to keep Ness's contract.