Stoke City boss Mark Robins reveals stance on Nathan Lowe recall from Walsall.

Stoke City boss Mark Robins has hinted that he is still considering the possibility of recalling young striker Nathan Lowe in January.

The 19-year-old has been exceptional on loan at Walsall throughout the first half of the season, scoring 14 league goals in just 21 outings. The teenager has helped Mat Sadler’s team construct a 10-point lead at the top of League Two, raising concerns over Lowe’s recall by the Potters. The situation surrounding Lowe altered again at the end of December, when Stoke parted ways with Narcis Pelach, and now new manager Robins has spoken on where Lowe’s immediate future may lay.

Mark Robins has suggested that Nathan Lowe could still be recalled by Stoke City

Although Lowe would not have been available for tomorrow’s FA Cup match against Sunderland (having already played in the cup for Walsall), he has returned to Stoke to train this week, with Robins taking the opportunity to get a first-hand look at the young striker.

According to Stoke-on-Trent Live, deciding on Lowe’s future is proving tough, with FFP limits and a recent injury to senior striker Sam Gallagher emphasising a possible short-term need for Lowe. Last week, Football League World exclusively revealed that Lowe had turned down a loan transfer to League One club Huddersfield Town, opting to finish the season with Walsall. However, Robins refuses to rule out the idea of reinstating the striker, revealing that his future plans have yet to be decided.

He remarked, “He’s a young player, and young players must be given time.” He will become a great player in time, and what he is doing right now is giving himself every opportunity. He’s placed himself in the shop window, making people sit up and take notice of him. “He will score 20 or more goals this season if he stays at Walsall; we haven’t made that decision yet, and I know it’s doing him a world of good.” “Mat Sadler is desperate to keep him, and I’m not looking to upset anyone, but what matters to me is Stoke City and the individual.”

“My first priority will be to assess whether it is right to bring him back at this stage and have him involved, not knowing 100 percent what the impact will be, but sometimes your hands are tied and you’re forced because of circumstances.”

Lowe ould be ready for a step-up with Stoke

Lowe’s impressive showing this season has demonstrated that he is capable of competing further up the pyramid. With his parent club currently trying to escape the relegation zone, Lowe might give the spark they require. The Potters, along with Millwall and bottom-placed Plymouth, have the division’s fewest goals. It would be a tall order for Lowe to come in and immediately adapt to the Championship, but he appears to have the instincts to score goals at any level. Stoke have great hopes for the teenager, who has already had experience in the second division, having made 13 league games last season and scoring his first goal for his hometown club.

His loan deal with the Saddlers has provided an excellent learning curve for the striker, as well as a valuable benchmark for Stoke as to how well he is developing. But from Robins’ suggestions, it wouldn’t be at all surprising to see Lowe called upon by his parent club at some point this month.

 

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