Stoke City injury news vs Oxford as loan star sits out training

Andrew Moran is on loan at Stoke City for the season from Brighton.
-Credit: (Image: George Wood/Getty Images)


Stoke City are taking a check on Andrew Moran ahead of this weekend’s trip to Oxford United after he returned back from international duty carrying a minor knock.

The 21-year-old midfielder, on loan from Brighton, played 90 minutes for Republic of Ireland under-21s in a 2-2 draw with Latvia on Tuesday, laying on the assist for a second-half goal from Sean Roughan, but he sat out of training back at Clayton Wood today as he just rests a knock in hope he will be available for the weekend.

Lewis Koumas, Million Manhoef, Sol Sidibe, Jaden Dixon, Emre Tezgel, Ashley Phillips and Viktor Johansson have all reported back fine, however, and Steven Schumacher and his coaching staff are building everyone back up ready for a return to Championship football.

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Schumacher said: “The (internationals are) all ok. Andy Moran didn’t join in today. He has a little bit of a knock from his game but it’s nothing too serious, we think he’ll be ok and he’s going to train tomorrow.

“Everyone else has come out and done a session. Some of it was modified, some of it was a little bit more physical because of the days that they played and the minutes that they played. We have to try to manage the load as best we can but everybody in the main is ready to go at the weekend and looking forward to it.”

Michael Rose (ankle), Enda Stevens (calf) and Jordan Thompson (calf) come back into the squad after injury while Tom Cannon and Tatsuki Seko, who got the green light on his visa last week, are available for the first time after joining on deadline day.

Sam Gallagher (calf) has been stepping up his training too while Bosun Lawal (back) and Ben Pearson (hamstring) are longer term absentees.

Schumacher said: “Sam Gallagher is progressing really well. He’s not far away from joining in training in the main group. Enda Stevens and Michael Rose have joined in during the international break and will be available for selection at the weekend and through next week.

“Then it’s just Bosun Lawal and Ben Pearson who are long-term that we’re missing.

“Jordan Thompson is ok, he’s had his first day training today with the main group and he’ll be available for selection this weekend.”

This is the start of a three-game week for Stoke, with Oxford (Saturday, 12.30pm) followed by a Carabao Cup tie at home against Fleetwood Town on Tuesday (7.30pm) and a Friday night home game back in the league against Hull (8pm).

Schumacher said: “It’s pleasing that a few of the injured lads are coming back and they’re going to help the squad with the numbers. We’ve been really, really young over the opening six games and really inexperienced, which is fine because we trust the young players and that they can perform to get the results they have done – but having more players to choose from, although it might be a selection headache, is a better headache to have than worrying about strength in depth.

“We’ve explained to the players today that it is a three-game week and everyone is going to play their part so make sure they’re ready to take their opportunity when they get it.”

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