Stoke City manager Mark Robins has delivered a positive injury update on three key first-team players ahead of the international break. He confirmed that forwards Sam Gallagher and Svante Ingelsson, along with defender Aaron Cresswell, are nearing returns to action after recent spells on the sidelines. The boost comes as Stoke sit ninth in the Championship with 20 points from 12 games, having recorded six wins, two draws and four losses.
Robins was particularly optimistic about Gallagher's timeline. When asked if the striker could be back before the upcoming international break, the manager replied, "Yes, every chance." He added, "Yes, I’m very hopeful." The news provides a significant boost for a Stoke side sitting ninth in the Championship with 20 points from 12 games. Their recent form of three wins, one draw and one loss has them just five points behind leaders Middlesbrough, and the return of attacking options could be key for maintaining that push.
International break timeline
Robins is targeting returns for the trio before the squad disperses for the November international window. This would give the players a full training block to regain match sharpness. The immediate focus, however, is Saturday's home fixture against Preston North End on Saturday 31 October. Stoke will be looking to avenge a 3-1 defeat from their last meeting in March and build on a solid start that has seen them score 18 goals while conceding 16, giving them a goal difference of plus two.
Having Gallagher, Cresswell and Ingelsson available again adds depth and experience to Robins's options as the season enters a busy period. The return of Gallagher could be especially timely as the squad looks to add to its attacking threat, with Luke Graham having scored the winner in the recent victory at Derby.
The original report is at onefootball.com
