Stoke and Leeds United's Christmas Day plans for players ahead of Boxing Day showdown
Stoke City players will be in for training on Christmas Day as they try to wrestle back some positive momentum against Leeds United.
Stoke have taken one point from their last five matches ahead of a Boxing Day home clash (8pm) in front of the live television cameras against title-chasing Leeds. Leeds will bring more than 3,300 fans and Stoke are likely to host one of their biggest crowds of the season so far.
Head coach Narcis Pelach will host his pre-match press conference this morning ahead of training and the players will be back in at Clayton Wood tomorrow.
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"This is our job and our responsibility," said the head coach. "We have to do everything we can to prepare for a big day for the club, Boxing Day against Leeds United."
Stoke are hoping to have Ashley Phillips available to start after illness pushed him to the bench at Sheffield Wednesday on Saturday.. Sam Gallagher and Bosun Lawal were passed fit to be named among the subs that day as they return from long-term injuries.
Pelach will deliver the latest team news but Million Manhoef (knee) and Ben Pearson (hamstring) are out while Jordan Thompson (groin) and Enda Stevens (calf) have been in the treatment room too.
Leeds will head to Stoke on Christmas Day, with boss Daniel Farke explaining: “We'll travel on Christmas day, we'll stay in the hotel so sadly no family time for my players and staff but we have greater things we think about and we want a proper party next May. We need to be professional. We'll celebrate Christmas when there's a little bit of time before the FA Cup game. We want to have good habits, good sleep, to be ready again to send our supporters back from Stoke in a good mood."
