Saints have minimal injury concerns as they go to the Potteries, but Stoke City is in a precarious situation as up to 8 players could miss the match at the bet365 stadium. Will this help the home team and motivate them?
The Stoke Sentinel reports that there may be 8 players absent from Stoke’s squad as they prepare to play Southampton tonight evening due to injuries.
Lynden Gooch, their backup left back, was forced off at halftime last weekend with a hamstring issue and is questionable, and center back Michael Rose also left the field during the second half with what appeared to be an ankle injury. These injuries affect all areas of the field. In defense, Enda Stevens is likely to miss out again with a calf injury.
The Stoke Sentinel has predicted that the Potters back line would have an average age of 22 tonight evening. Saints fans complain about Saints’ inexperience in the back four.
Andre Vidigal, Ryan Mmaee, and Tyrese Campbell, the latter two with hamstring issues, are all expected to once again be out for Stoke. According to manager Alex Neil, none of those who missed the game last weekend will be ready to play against Southampton.
Emre Tezgel and Lewis Baker are longer-term absentees to make it 8 who look set to be unavailable for the squad, but it might get worse, Wouter Burger who was only fit enough for the bench in Saturday’s win over Bristol City, did manage 15 minutes, but it will be a late call on the level of his fitness for this game.
Saints fans hope that their side will be able to cash in on Stoke’s injury woes, but truth is sometimes injury hit teams find an extra bit of grit and determination
