Stoke City denied Romelu Lukaku loan

Stoke City's bid to sign Chelsea striker Romelu Lukaku on loan has been blocked by Premier League rules.

The 18-year-old joined the Blues earlier this month from Anderlecht and made his debut during Saturday's 3-1 victory over Norwich City.

Potters manager Tony Pulis had hoped to offer the Belgium international a season of first-team football but Premier League rule M 7.1 states: "A temporary transfer to a club may not take place in the transfer window in which the transferor club acquired the player's registration."

Pulis would be allowed to make another offer for the player in January.