Stoke City, currently seeking their third consecutive win, will face Middlesbrough in the Championship this weekend. The team has been in good form since the return of football after the international break, securing victories against Sunderland and Leeds United in their last two matches. They now face another formidable opponent in Middlesbrough, who have won their last seven games in all competitions.
Alex Neil provided a positive update regarding the injury status of Ciaran Clark, who had been sidelined for the past six months due to an injury but recently joined Stoke on a free transfer earlier this month. The 34-year-old recently participated in a behind-closed-doors friendly match, and Neil is optimistic that Clark can be included in the squad for the upcoming Championship game against Cardiff City next week.
Neil shared with StokeonTrent Live, ‘He’s doing well; he trained on Thursday, and he will continue training on Friday. He’s expected to play a full 90 minutes in a scheduled game on Monday. Following that, there is no reason why he won’t be part of the squad.’
Before joining Stoke, Ciaran Clark spent seven years with Newcastle United, amassing over 100 appearances, mostly in the Premier League. Last season, he had a loan spell at Sheffield United, where despite being limited to just 10 Championship appearances due to injury, he left a positive impression.
This news is a boost for Stoke City, as they have shown improved form in their recent matches. The team has undergone significant changes and features many players lacking Championship experience, making the addition of a player of Clark’s quality a valuable asset for Neil.
Alex Neil deserves credit for overseeing two positive performances in the last two games. However, the upcoming match against Middlesbrough, who are currently in excellent form under Michael Carrick’s management, could pose his most challenging test of the season. The match is scheduled to kick off tomorrow at 3 pm.
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