Stoke City manager Mark Robins has welcomed the return of forward Lamine Cisse from injury as the Championship side prepare for their next match. The 23-year-old, who joined from Bastia last season, missed five league and cup games with a niggling issue but has now featured as a substitute in the last two outings.
Robins told The Sentinel this week that Cisse's absence had been felt. "We’ve missed Lamine Cisse," the manager said.
How does Cisse fit into the squad list?
Cisse's comeback comes at a useful time for Robins, who has seen his side's form dip to DWWLL in their last five matches. The Potters have scored nine goals but conceded ten, leaving them with a negative goal difference. The manager noted his team ran out of steam in certain positions during recent games against Charlton and Cardiff. Cisse offers a different attacking option alongside new signings George Hirst, Ethan Galbraith and Jack McGlynn.
Hirst, the 27-year-old striker, scored a header against Charlton last weekend. He also had a clear one-on-one chance created by Galbraith at the start of the second half against Cardiff but failed to convert. Robins addressed that moment. "It’s tough because you get into those positions and you’ve got to find a way of beating the goalkeeper, not hitting the goalkeeper and hitting the target," he said. The full squad list shows the attacking options now available.
Who else is unavailable for selection?
While Cisse returns, other players remain sidelined. The club's current injury list includes Aaron Cresswell, Ato Ampah, Ben Gibson, Bosun Lawal, Junior Tchamadeu and Sam Gallagher. Their absence is being managed as Stoke look to climb from 15th place, a position that leaves them four points behind early leaders West Ham.
International duty also affects selection. Attacker Bae Junho came on as a second-half substitute in a recent match but will now miss the next two games for Stoke. He has joined the South Korea under-23 squad for the Asian Games and is scheduled to return after the international break. Supporters can track the team's availability on the injuries page.
What is the immediate challenge for Stoke City?
The immediate focus is a Championship away trip to face Watford on September 12. Watford currently sit 11th in the table, making it a challenging fixture for Robins's side. The manager admitted his team did not deserve all three points in one of their recent matches, stating they had chances to extend a lead before conceding a goal.
Preparing for Watford will require a sharper performance in front of goal. The team's fixtures schedule shows a busy period ahead after the international window closes. Integrating returning players like Cisse while managing absentees will be key to improving results.
Where does this leave Stoke in the league context?
With nine points separating them from the top, Stoke's early season has been inconsistent. The 2-1-3 record indicates room for improvement as the campaign develops. Robins will hope a fuller squad can help address the fine margins he identified, where chances created have not always been converted. The latest standings confirm the competitive nature of the division.
Stoke City travel to Vicarage Road to play Watford on Saturday, September 12, 2026.
