Clayton Wood provides positive team news as Stoke City prepare for a demanding run of Championship encounters.
Stoke City’s mid-week match against Luton Town may see the return of Enda Stevens, Ben Gibson, Sam Gallagher, and Bosun Lawal.
Stevens has missed the last two games owing to a leg injury that took him off early against Preston North End. However, he has been deemed fit to travel on Tuesday (7.45pm) and may return at left-back.
Gibson, who missed Saturday’s defeat at Sunderland owing to sickness, is being evaluated at Clayton Wood today to see whether he can return immediately. This was the first time the centre-back had missed a league match this season.
Gallagher increased his workouts dramatically last week to recover from a hamstring injury incurred in early October.The 29-year-old striker will need to be controlled to ensure he stays fit after a difficult first few months at Stoke. Lawal will be eased in as he prepares for his debut. He had inadvertently played with a stress fracture in his lower back throughout previous season, but was instructed to rest and rehab after it was highlighted in a medical during his summer signing from Celtic.
Ben Pearson is also speeding up his training in the hopes of becoming available for the first time since April.
It is a boost for the trip to Luton, but more so for the medium term as Stoke look to climb the Championship table, especially given that four of these returns – along with Lynden Gooch, who has recently returned from a knee injury – are among the most experienced players in a relatively young group.
Narcis Pelach stated in his pre-match press conference that Ben Gibson will be evaluated this morning. He’s been ill, and we’ll see if he’s accessible tomorrow. I hope he is, but we must analyze him now. The medical staff has stated that we will not be able to play him until he has completed training and demonstrated his abilities.
“Enda Stevens is back.” He will participate in the Luton game.
“There were no new injuries (from the Sunderland match). Bosun and Sam are extremely close to returning. We’ll see if we can get them involved tomorrow, and if not, hopefully over the weekend.
“Ben Pearson is doing well, although he will be a little later than Bosun and Sam.
“Gooch is available.” I haven’t had chance to play him yet, but he’s accessible for a few minutes to help the team as well.
Pelach is anticipated to make changes from the Sunderland game, with players such as Wetter Burger, Ben Wilmot, and Gooch vying for starting positions.
He stated, “We will try to manage the squad a little bit.” I’ve been trying to do that in order to avoid injuries, since as we all know, the Championship can be a nightmare if you get hurt, especially when games come so quickly. The lack of available players diminishes your chances of winning games. That is why I have been experimenting with different games to try to decrease mental and physical stress. “I expect to make some changes.”
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