It’s a situation that will face any manager and team at some point in a season. Stoke City are no exception to a lack of player availability due to injuries – but what is the current extent?
Stoke City currently have six first-team players not able to be selected due to injury.
The medical room has been somewhat of a revolving door in recent weeks. Knocks and minor niggles have kept some players out for a week or two.
For those less fortunate, the doctors and staff are – rather unfortunately – being kept busy.
Short-term absentees
Glen Whelan
The Irish international was withdrawn early while representing the Republic during last weekend’s domestic break.
Of the six currently ruled-out, Whelan is the most likely to be returning first.
A late fitness test will decide whether the midfielder is fit to return to action this weekend.
Geoff Cameron
The American’s return date from a niggling knee problem has been up in the air for some time.
Cameron has been out of the side on a regular basis since the end of October, and may well have to wait a bit longer to get back playing.
Hughes will no doubt appreciate a sooner-rather-than-later return for his versatile defender.
Phil Bardsley
Bardsley has been used this season as cover for Glen Johnson at right-back.
With Johnson only just returning from an injury himself, his timing was paramount, as he replaced Bardsley during the defeat to Bournemouth at the weekend.
It could be a 4-6 week absence for the Mancunian.
Long-term absentees
Jack Butland
Perhaps the most anticipated ‘returnee’ from the sideline is goalkeeper Jack Butland.
Butland had his Euro 2016 dreams dashed when he picked up an injury during England’s warm-up match with Germany. He hasn’t played in the league since.
Butland’s return date has been bouncing around for a while after re-aggravating it before the season got underway. It is, however, hoped that he will be ready for the 3 December visit of Burnley.
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Ibrahim Afellay
The Dutchman has been missing from action since the end of last season. Bad damage to his ACL has kept Afellay out of action.
It has however been reported that Afellay is making a speedy recovery. He may return sooner than expected at the beginning of 2017.
Stephen Ireland
Ireland is perhaps the ‘resident’ of the treatment room at Stoke City.
Having broken his leg at the end of the last campaign, a return date still remains largely unknown, but early February isn’t out of the question.
We wish you all a quick return to action, lads.