Tight-lipped Alex Neil provides an injury update as Stoke City prepare for their match against Hull.
The latest from the bet365 Stadium as Stoke City prepare to face Hull City.
Alex Neil didn’t reveal much when asked about injury reports twice a week, although he did say that Andre Vidigal was “very close” to returning.
Over the previous three weeks, Stoke have been hit by injuries to four likely starters, with summer arrivals Vidigal, Ryan Mmaee, Enda Stevens, and Ki-Jana Hoever all missing two, three, or four of the games against Rotherham, Preston, Norwich, and Huddersfield.
Stoke will be without Ben Pearson for this Sunday’s home encounter against Hull after he received a one-match ban for being the first player in the Championship to receive five yellow cards.
During his pre-match press conference, Neil would only declare, ‘they’re all closer than they were.’ But, specifically about Vidigal, he continued, “He’s close, he’s very close.” I don’t want to put him under too much pressure because he’s only been here for a few games.
“He’s done well, scored some goals, and shown a natural instinct in the box, hasn’t he?” It’s instinct, whether it’s getting over in front of someone or making sure he lands on the ball when it comes into the box. He certainly demonstrated that when he was available.”
Emre Tezgel will begin his comeback with youth-level outings, while Sol Sidibe is recovering from tonsillitis.
Lewis Baker is still recovering from knee surgery he had last summer.
“Lewis is improving, but he is obviously a bit of a slow burner, so it will take some time,” Neil added. He’s back on the grass now, and getting back on the grass is the light at the end of the tunnel when you’re recovering from an injury. Doing rehab to get fitter and stronger is the most pleasurable part of the rehabilitation process.
“Then we’ll make decisions about some of the other lads who’ve been injured as well.”
