Stoke V Sunderland at Britannia Stadium : LIVE

25 April 2015 08:24
Stoke V Sunderland - view commentary, squad, and statistics of the game live.


Odemwingie set for Stoke return

Long-term injury absentee Peter Odemwingie is set to make his Stoke return on Saturday when Sunderland visit the Britannia Stadium.

Potters boss Mark Hughes has revealed Odemwingie, who has not been involved on a matchday since suffering a serious knee problem in August, will be among the substitutes for the Barclays Premier League clash with the Black Cats.

"Peter has looked really good, and whilst we don't want to compromise him, which we won't, he will be on the bench," said Hughes.

"It is a real positive for us to have him back in the group and available to get back into the squad again.

"He has put a tremendous amount of work in, his levels of fitness are really good and he has come through everything we have asked of him over the past week or so.

"He is in a real good place and is confident. Obviously he had a really big smile on his face when I pulled him aside and spoke to him about that."

Midfielder Stephen Ireland is available despite coming off at half-time of last weekend's 2-1 win over Southampton with a knock, but defender Marc Muniesa remains sidelined by a hamstring complaint.

Sunderland head coach Dick Advocaat will leave it to Adam Johnson to decide if he is mentally ready to play a part.

Johnson is available for selection after the club decided not to re-impose the suspension to which he was subject following his arrest last month despite police charging him with three offences of sexual activity with a child under 16 and one of grooming on Thursday.

But Advocaat will make a decision on whether or not to involve the 27-year-old England international after discussing the situation with him to ascertain his state of mind.

Asked if the midfielder was available for the game, the Dutchman said: "He's in the squad, yes. If he's in the squad, then I will consider him for selection, otherwise he would not be in the squad.

"He still has to come in, but in principle if he feels okay, then he will be a member of the squad."

Asked if it was a difficult situation for him to deal with as a coach, Advocaat said: "No, because the club made a statement about it and I stay behind that, and we will wait and see what the future will bring."

Striker Steven Fletcher is out after travelling to London to consult a specialist over an ankle problem, and he joins the suspended Sebastian Larsson and injured defender Wes Brown (knee), as well as fellow midfielders Ricky Alvarez (also knee) and Emanuele Giaccherini (ankle), on the sidelines.






Source: PA