Stoke boss Rowett has ‘one or two’ niggles to contend with for Birmingham clash



Posted Thursday, October 18, 2018 by PA

Stoke boss Rowett has ‘one or two’ niggles to contend with for Birmingham clash

Stoke’s international players returned without injury, but boss Gary Rowett admits there are “one or two little knocks” ahead of the home clash with Birmingham.

Speaking about the international break, Rowett added: “It’s always a challenge because you can get work done…but the reality is that you have only nine or 10 players. We’ve had players back after a variety of travel but they’ve all trained, some for different lengths of sessions.”

Midfielder Sam Clucas will not be rushed back following a lengthy absence with a knee injury that required surgery, while Ibrahim Afellay (also knee) remains sidelined.

It remains to be seen whether skipper Ryan Shawcross comes back into the Potters’ starting line-up having sat out the last four matches.

Birmingham boss Garry Monk has been boosted by the news that Isaac Vassell should be back with the squad within the next fortnight.

Striker Vassell has not played for almost a year after a knee injury was followed by a hip problem during his rehabilitation.

Midfielder Craig Gardner should be in contention to face Stoke after a spell on the sidelines with a knock.

“Craig has been back in training throughout the international break, that’s good. Everyone else is fine. There’s just David Davis, who is a little bit longer away from getting back into action,” said Monk.

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