After Wolves signed new strikers Sylvan Ebanks-Blake and brought in Kevin Kyle on loan during the January transfer window, Bothroyd found himself out of first team contention. To gain playing time, he moved to fellow Championship club Stoke City on an initial one-month loan on 14 March 2008, later extended to the end of the season, which ended in promotion to the Premier League. However, after featuring in just four matches during his loan spell, he returned to his parent club who promptly put him up for transfer.