Stoke City new boy could play for the first time against Middlesbrough this weekend
Stoke City are hoping Sam Gallagher can feature this weekend, as per a report by Stoke On Trent Live.
Stoke City saw their summer signing pick up a calf injury during pre-season and he hasn’t played yet this season. They are back in Championship action on Saturday with an away trip to the Riverside Stadium to take on Middlesbrough.
Gallagher, 29, was snapped up by the Potters in late July to bolster their attacking department and give them something different up top. He made the switch to the Bet365 Stadium from fellow second tier side Blackburn Rovers.
In this latest update regarding his condition, StokeOnTrentLive suggest the Potters could throw him into the squad for the first time against Boro as he closes in a return to full fitness. It would be a big boost for the Staffordshire outfit if he was available as they prepare for their second game under the guidance of new boss Narcis Pelach.
Stoke City injury latest
Gallagher will be a useful option for Stoke City when he has fully recovered.
He is an experienced attacker and will boost their striking options.
After joining them in the last transfer window, he told their website: “The direction that the Club wants to go in is what attracted me. There is an eagerness to climb the league which aligns with what I want to achieve.
“I feel confident in my abilities, I want to impact the team in a positive way and, most importantly, for the Club to be successful.”
Gallagher was at Plymouth Argyle as a youngster before linking up with Southampton.
He went on to play 26 times for the Saints, as well as having loan spells away at MK Dons, Blackburn Rovers and Birmingham City to get some experience.
Rovers ended up luring him back to Ewood Park on a permanent basis in 2019 and he went on to score 37 goals in 188 games for the Lancashire club.
Gallagher left Blackburn Rovers for a change of scene to Stoke City but it has been a frustrating start to life with his new team.
Pelach’s side lost 3-1 at home to Hull City last time out and will be aiming to bounce back with a win at Middlesbrough.
Former Premier League referee Chris Foy examines decisions from the Sky Bet Championship, League One and League Two; Burnley 2-1 Portsmouth, Stoke 1-3 Hull, QPR 1-1 Millwall, Stockport 1-4 Leyton Orient, Bradford 0-0 AFC Wimbledon and MK Dons 1-1 Doncaster all analysed
Behind the Whistle aims to give supporters of EFL clubs an insight into the decision-making considerations and also clarification of certain calls to provide an understanding of how the laws of the game are interpreted.
