As Stoke City gets ready for their Championship away day at Middlesbrough on Saturday at 3pm, Sam Gallagher hopes to give Narcis Pelach a lift this week.

Blackburn Rovers summer signing Gallagher, a striker, is almost ready to play for the first time since he injured his calf in the season’s last friendly against AZ Alkmaar.Along with Million Manhoef, Tom Cannon, Lewis Koumas, Bae Junho, Emre Tezgel, and Niall Ennis, the 29-year-old will offer Pelach an alternative in the attacking department.

Against Hull on Friday night, Cannon and Manhoef played in the middle, with Junho and Koumas on the left and right, respectively. Additionally, Andrew Moran, who is on loan from Brighton, will return to the mix after missing the Hull game owing to illness that had been present in the camp the previous week.

Updates on Ashley Phillips, who missed the match against Hull due to concussion protocol after being struck in the face during Tuesday’s Carabao Cup match against Fleetwood, and Lynden Gooch, who is believed to have suffered a serious knee injury during the previous Saturday’s 1-0 league loss at Oxford, are anticipated later this week.

Bosun Lawal is waiting for the all-clear to resume his training as he allows a lower back issue to heal by getting regular scans. Following an off-season hamstring operation, Ben Pearson is currently recuperating.

In order to assist new head coach Pelach in selecting the best starting lineup possible, if and when everyone in his changing room is fit, we have set up a selection widget above. In the comments box, let us know about your personnel and configuration.

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