Nash hits the backpackers' trail

Whilst Stoke loan keeper, Carlo Nash is looking for a permanent move to the Potteries during the summer, in the meantime he has another book to research and write.

Nash's exploits on the football field are well known to Potters fans, especially with some inspired saves that helped Stoke to promotion last weekend, but fans may not be aware that the summer break gives him time to pursue his other career.

Along with his wife, Jill, he has written several travel books under the 'Luxury Backpackers' range of titles and this year is planning a book on Safaris. Obviously football means that his research is limited to the close season, but this time around they are travelling through southern Africa, starting at Cape Town and ending in Tanzania and told Chris Evans on BBC Radio 2 that they make no other plans before they leave and 'just make it up in between'.

When questioned on the radio show about the likelihood of playing at Stoke next season, he confirmed previous reports that he is very keen to join Stoke permanently 'as I really enjoyed it and I don't want to go back [to Wigan]' and that Steve Bruce 'knows that I would like to play football somewhere else'

Whether Nash gets his wish remains to be seen as Tony Pulis is reported to be still interested in Sunderland keeper, Marton Fulop. Fulop was on loan at the Brit before Nash, but was recalled by Roy Keane before he even had a chance to pull on a Stoke shirt. If Pulis does decide to plump for Carlo let's just hope that either a deal can be sorted soon or that mobile phone reception is good in the midst of the elephants and lions of the Serengeti.