Stoke City team news vs Leeds as defender returns and key man bids for green light
Ashley Phillips is hoping to get straight back into the Stoke City starting line-up after recovering from illness - and Enda Stevens is keeping his fingers crossed that medics will give him the green light to be involved.
Centre-back Phillips, on a season-long loan from Tottenham, dropped to the bench at Sheffield Wednesday on Saturday after sickness had prevented him from training through most of the week. But he is well again ahead of a Boxing Day home game against Leeds United (Thursday, 8pm).
Influential left-back Stevens has missed the last five matches with a calf problem and is being assessed today and on Christmas Day.
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Jordan Thompson (groin) is out, however, along with Million Manhoef (knee) and Ben Pearson (hamstring), while Sam Gallagher and Bosun Lawal continue to be eased back after long-term absences.
Head coach Narcis Pelach said at his pre-match press conference: "We have Milly as you know, we have Jordan Thompson and Ben Pearson. Then we have Sam Gallagher and Bosun coming back, they are not fully fit but are getting there, which is positive because it has been a long wait without them.
"I think they are both very important and we haven’t had the chance to have them yet. I’m looking forward to playing them in the near future but there are some restrictions still and I have to wait until they are fully fit and they can play with less risk of injury. But I’m looking forward at some point to having them and hopefully there will be a moment in the season when we will have all of them, signings will come as well and we will feel much more competitive.
"Jordan Thompson will not be available for the Leeds game. Enda will be assessed today and tomorrow and hopefully… He is willing to be there. I’ve had a chat with him and he wants to be there for the team on Thursday but we need to assess him.
"Ashley Phillips is back. He had illness problems and it was recommended not to play him because he was feeling really sick. We managed to bring him on the bench to maybe help at the end for 20 or 25 minutes if that was needed but it was recommended not to start him."
