Stoke City boss delivers Bosun Lawal and Ben Pearson update...

In an attempt to get playing time and earn a spot in Mark Robins’ plans, Bosun Lawal will play tonight for Stoke

City’s under-21 team.

The adaptable 21-year-old had to exercise patience after a medical examination upon signing from Celtic last

summer revealed a stress fracture in his lower back that has taken longer to heal than he had anticipated.

He has resumed his training and made a few bench appearances for the first squad, but he still needs playing time,

and Premier League 2’s winter schedule hasn’t helped. However, Ben Pearson, who hasn’t played since suffering a

hamstring injury in April of last year, will join the 21s for a game when Stoke travels to Manchester City at 7 p.m.

“Bosun will play (against Man City),” said Robins. “Pearo is not going to play in that but he will play against

Rochdale next week.”

“Bosun, who was a center-half by trade, has been considered in a midfield position and possibly even an attacking

midfield position,” he continued. He has excellent feet around the box, is a terrific finisher, and can score goals.

Because he essentially looks like he might be a genuine asset and a really excellent Championship football player, his

injury has set him back and set us back as a team. I’m excited for him to become in shape.

In an attempt to find a solution, Jordan Thompson, who has been absent due to a groin injury, underwent surgery

this week and is currently undergoing rehabilitation.

Robins said: “He’ll be out until it’s healed. Generally what happens now we say, ‘That’s that and it’s going to be that’

and I really don’t like it because it puts a thing in the player’s mind that it’s going to be four to six weeks so it’ll be

four to six weeks. Rather than doing that, you know there is a certain amount of time it will take to heal and then you

can manage the pain or how much you’re putting yourself at risk of another injury or a reinjury.

“I don’t like to just say, ‘This is what’s going to happen,’ because if they can cut some time off it, that’s fantastic for

everyone.” We need people who are fit because players miss playing. We need to put in a lot of effort to get them back

and make themselves available to us as much as possible.

Ben Gibson, who missed the trip to Sunderland due to injury, may rejoin the team.

Robins stated, “I can’t confirm nor deny that.” “I don’t want to give an opponent an advantage, but I’m not trying to

be elusive. After reviewing the training, I will decide on the final squad.

Sam Gallagher (hamstring), Eric Bocat (calf), and Million Manhoef (knee) are still in the treatment room.

Stoke City boss delivers Bosun Lawal and Ben Pearson update in latest injury news