Djibril Soumare has been singled out for praise by his Stoke City teammates ahead of a reunion with his former club Sheffield United. The midfielder's unique character and approach have made a strong impression in the dressing room as the Potters prepare for Saturday's Championship fixture at the bet365 Stadium.

Asked whether Soumare seemed quiet off the pitch, teammate Graham gave a colourful assessment of the Frenchman. "He's off his head. He's brilliant, a great character to have around," he said. Soumare joined Stoke on a free transfer this summer after his contract with Sheffield United expired, bringing a wealth of Premier League and European experience to Steven Schumacher's squad.

His integration comes at a key moment for a Stoke side sitting 12th in the Championship with 10 points from their opening seven games. The team's form has been inconsistent, with a run of three wins, one draw, and one loss in their last five outings. They head into the Sheffield United match on the back of a 2-1 away victory at Watford, a result that showed the resilience Schumacher is trying to build.

Schumacher's midfield options

Soumare's presence adds depth and a different profile to Stoke's engine room, an area where competition is fierce. Ethan Galbraith, the team's current top scorer with three goals from seven appearances, has been a more advanced threat, while the likes of Jack McGlynn and Ben Johnson have also contributed from midfield. Schumacher now has the option to use Soumare's physicality and game management, particularly in a match against familiar opponents. The manager is expected to finalise his selection from a squad dealing with several absences, including Aaron Cresswell, Ato Ampah, and Eric Bocat, whose availability can be tracked on our injuries list.

His knowledge of their players and patterns could prove valuable, though Stoke will be wary of a Sheffield United side sitting 15th and desperate for points themselves. The Potters' recent home form has been strong, with 4-0 and 1-0 wins against Charlton and Norwich respectively, suggesting the bet365 Stadium is becoming a fortress again.

Building on Watford win

The victory at Vicarage Road, secured with goals from McGlynn and Bocat either side of half-time, provided a blueprint for success. Stoke absorbed pressure and took their chances clinically, a formula they will aim to repeat. Maintaining that level of performance across 90 minutes has been a challenge, as evidenced by the late concession in the 1-1 draw at Cardiff. Solidifying the defence, which has conceded 11 goals this season, will be a priority against a Sheffield United attack searching for rhythm.

Schumacher's men have a quick turnaround after this fixture, with another Championship match following in midweek. For now, focus is entirely on securing a positive result against Sheffield United, with Soumare hoping his teammates' faith in him translates into a decisive contribution on Saturday afternoon.

The original report is at The Sentinel