Ethan Galbraith has suffered an injury scare ahead of Stoke City’s trip to Bolton Wanderers. The midfielder was substituted in the 65th minute of Northern Ireland’s 0-0 draw with Georgia after appearing to hold the back of his leg. The 25-year-old had started the match alongside his Stoke teammate Justin Devenny. He had only just returned to the squad after being granted permission to miss the previous international against Ukraine to be with his partner following the birth of their son. His withdrawal will be monitored closely by the club, who are aiming to extend their five-match unbeaten run.
Recent form and team reaction
Galbraith had been in excellent form, earning the man of the match award in Northern Ireland’s previous draw with Hungary. After the Georgia game, he was seen applauding supporters around Windsor Park. Stoke fans are hoping the substitution was merely precautionary, as the 25-year-old has been a key contributor this season, scoring three goals in eight Championship appearances. His assist for Sam Gallagher’s late winner against Sheffield United last month was a highlight of the club's strong start. Stoke City currently sit seventh in the Championship table with 13 points from eight games, claiming a recent run of four wins and a draw. Their next challenge is an away fixture against 15th-placed Bolton Wanderers on Saturday. The Potters will be looking to maintain momentum and close the four-point gap to the league leaders.
Michael O’Connor, a former opponent, highlighted Galbraith’s technical ability. "I played against Ethan when he was with Manchester United’s Under-21s while I was with Lincoln City in 2019," O’Connor said.
Northern Ireland manager Michael O'Neill also commented on the situation after the match. O'Neill stated.
The club has not yet provided an update on the severity of the issue. Supporters can check the latest team news and the full fixtures schedule ahead of the weekend. Stoke City’s match at Bolton kicks off at 3pm BST on Saturday.
The original report is at The Sentinel
