Socceroos midfielder Josip Skoko has moved to Stoke City on loan. The 30 year-old player feels he needs consistent first team football in order to secure his place in Guus Hiddink's Australia squad ahead of the World Cup Finals.

Skoko hasn’t had a regular place in the Wigan Athletic first-team, and he has struggled to settle at the Premiership club.

In an interview with the Wigan Evening Post Josip Skoko said: “The fact is I really need some games because the World Cup is coming up, and I need to be as match-fit as I can be.”

“The vicinity of Stoke to where I'm living is also important because I won't have to change things too much. And there is also Johan Boskamp. It's always easier when you know how a coach works, and I know and like his style.”

“The thing I like the most is that he wants to play football. I'm a big fan of playing good football, someone who likes to sit in midfield, build things up and spread the ball around. My passing is probably one of the strongest parts of my game, I also like going forward and attacking.”

Skoko has joined Stoke on loan until the end of the season. Although is not expected that Skoko will be joining the Potteries club on a permanent basis, his future at Wigan Athletic looks limited, and he may well move on in the summer.

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