Stoke City are checking on the fitness of midfielder Ethan Galbraith after he was forced off during Northern Ireland's Nations League match on Monday. The 25-year-old appeared to hold his hamstring as he left the pitch in the 65th minute of the goalless draw with Georgia in Belfast, but initial the issue was cramp.
Manager Mark Robins addressed the situation in his pre-match press conference ahead of Saturday's Championship fixture at Bolton Wanderers. He confirmed the club is awaiting a full assessment but has received positive early signals. "I’m told it was cramp," Robins said, attributing the information to both the player and the international medical staff. "I want to see today before I make comment and there’s nothing I can do until then."
Galbraith's potential absence would be a significant blow for a Stoke side sitting seventh in the Championship with 13 points from eight games. He is the team's top scorer this season with three goals in eight league appearances, a contribution that has been vital during their current five-match unbeaten run. His late assist for Sam Gallagher's winner in the 2-1 victory over Sheffield United on September 19 was a key moment in that sequence.
The international break has been a demanding period for several squad members. Robins noted the compressed schedule, which saw players like Galbraith feature in multiple games for their countries shortly after a busy club period. "It’s important to gauge where they are at mentally and physically because they’ve got to be able to go again," the manager explained.
Galbraith had already missed Northern Ireland's previous match, a 3-0 win over Ukraine, to be present for the birth of his son. He returned to start against Georgia, forming a midfield partnership with club teammate Justin Devenny. Stoke will hope their medical staff give the all-clear, as they aim to extend their strong form which includes four wins and a draw from their last five outings. The immediate focus is the trip to face 15th-placed Bolton this Saturday, with further Championship games against Middlesbrough and Derby County to follow.
The original report is at Belfast News Letter
