Stoke City signed Sam Gallagher from Blackburn Rovers during the summer transfer window, but the striker has been limited by injury this season.
According to the Lancashire Telegraph, the 29-year-old signed for the Potters for a cost that might increase to £1.6 million, but he has yet to make the impact he had hoped when he initially came at the bet365 Stadium.
| Sam Gallagher’s Championship stats (Transfermarkt) | ||
|---|---|---|
| Appearances | Goals | Assists |
| 268 | 51 | 23 |
Gallagher has only made three Championship appearances for his new club due to injuries, which will undoubtedly be as frustrating for him as it has been for the fans, especially given that only one team above Stoke in the table, Swansea City, has scored fewer goals in the second division this season.
Stoke supporters saw what Gallagher is capable of during the Potters’ 6-1 victory over Portsmouth in October, so they will undoubtedly be looking forward to his return to play and hoping that he can put his injury problems behind him.
Stoke’s choice to sign Gallagher may still pay handsomely.
We asked our Stoke City fan pundit, Sam Harrison, if he feels the club made a mistake by signing Gallagher considering his bad injury record, or if he believes it was the right option.
“With Sam Gallagher, it is very difficult to say it was a mistake because you look at the performance he had against Portsmouth,” remarked the player.
“It is a gamble, and Stoke accepted that risk. For all we know, he’s getting closer to rejoining the team.
“If he returns and isn’t hurt for the rest of the season, maybe the early part of the season when he recovered from that injury was worth the wait.
“Is that what Tom Cannon might need? Someone like Sam Gallagher, who he can work off, as their partnership was fantastic against Pompey.
“I think you ought to wait till later in the season.
“I must say, I am a fan of Sam Gallagher. I thought his performance against Portsmouth was amazing.
“Hopefully we can keep him fit.”
Gallagher could help bring out the best of Cannon.
Cannon has seven league goals for Stoke this season, four of which came in a 6-1 victory over Portsmouth, so Gallagher may be able to bring out the best in the on-loan Leicester City striker.
Stoke will be eager to see the two strikers back together as soon as possible, and if Sam’s prognosis is true, and Gallagher remains fit, their partnership in attack might help the Potters climb the league.
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