Stoke City Coach Silent On Future Of Etebo Following Arrival Of Mikel

0
176

Coach of English Championship side Stoke City Michael O’Neil has provided update on his squad for Saturday’s Carabao Cup first round game against Blackpool.

He listed the duo of Ryan Shawcross and Sam Vokes as players who will miss the game via injury with Joe Allen and Thibaud Verlinden not back in training yet.

Speaking at his pre-match press conference on Thursday, the 51-year-old said: “Sam Vokes won’t be available to us. He’s got a calf problem. Joe Allen and Thibaud Verlinden are not back in training yet.

Advertisement

“The other thing we have to do is manage the players that we brought in, predominantly because they came in at different stages so need to be on a different schedule, built more towards September 12.

“Ryan Shawcross comes into that category as well after having groin surgery at the end of last season.”

O’Neil also said he is studying the fitness of former Super Eagles John Obi Mikel who joined the team two weeks ago before making a decision on including him in the matchday squad .

He added: “We have to consider where the players are in terms of their fitness. If you look at John (Obi Mikel) for example, he’s not played since March because he terminated his contract at Trabzonspor.

DONT MISS ==>  Five Reasons Why Super Eagles Fail To Impress In 1-1 Draw Against Benin Republic

However , he made no mention of Oghenekaro Etebo who spent the second half of last season on loan to Spanish side Getafe after failing to convince the coach of his abilities less than a year after he was voted the player of the year at the club.

Getafe won’t be pursuing a permanent deal for the Nigerian international and it appears he is also not part of the plans of the coach at Stoke City although he still has two years left in his deal at the club.

Michael James

Advertisement