Mark Robins issues Wouter Burger injury update amid Stoke City ‘frustration’
Wouter Burger ‘back on the grass’ according to Stoke manager ahead of Saturday’s trip to Norwich City
Injuries to key players have plagued Stoke City for most of a troubled season – and fans thought the curse had struck again when Wouter Burger limped off against Swansea last week.
The Dutchman has hit top form under new boss Mark Robins, particularly since Stoke rejected a deadline-day approach for his services from Danish Superliga leaders FC Midtjylland.
But he was subbed after 70 minutes of the 3-1 victory over the Swans after scoring for the Potters and turning in arguably his best display of the season so far.
However, Robins delivered an encouraging update on the knee problem that restricted Burger’s time last week, saying: “It’s looking a lot more positive. He’s on the grass training.”
While it looks like Burger has a chance of facing Norwich City on Saturday (3pm kick-off), Robins admits to being frustrated by the absence of key men as he plots Stoke’s escape route away from the Championship relegation zone.
He added in his pre-match press conference: “I can’t wait for everybody to be available so I don’t have to think about how long I can use people for. That’ll become easier over time.
“There’s a lot of consideration around things at the minute, which comes with people being out for a length of time and where they are in their recovery. Some of them have come directly back into the team whereas historically people go and play in the under 21s first.”
The manager also credited players like Ben Pearson, who has stayed mentally strong after a hamstring injury meant he was out of action for the better part of a year. However, after some time in the under-21s, he has come back robust and looking to find his best form under Robins.
Robins added: “We’re living game by game at the moment. It is really important because then you don’t look beyond. I think if you start to lose focus then it’ll then affect you. So from my perspective, I can start to look a bit in advance but it’s not too far.”
Lewis Baker was channelling his inner David Beckham when his 62-yard effort from inside his own half sailed into the Swansea City net to seal a 3-1 Stoke City victory – and hand Potters boss Mark Robins his first win at the bet365 Stadium.
The goal has been the talk of the Potteries this past week, and now the Stoke manager has had his say on an effort he claims would have received far more plaudits had it been scored in the Premier League.
It was a topic of discussion during Robins’ pre-match press conference as Stoke prepare to go to one of his former clubs on Saturday – Norwich City. He said of Baker’s sublime effort: “His first touch to set himself for the shot was brilliant.
