Gaby out for up to six weeks

Stoke on-loan defender, Gabriel Zakuani will be out for up to six weeks after pulling a hamstring during the Potters’ 1-1 draw with West Brom.

The Potters can ill-afford another injury to an already threadbare squad with Clint Hill already sidelined for a similar period, but at least have some reasonable cover in Carl Dickinson who graduated through the Stoke academy system after joining from Derby County’s Academy setup in 2002.

Tony Pulis ruefully observed after the match that ‘they’re dropping like flies at the moment’, but whilst he was already trying to bring better talent into the Brit, he is now faced with maybe just having to bring in any players he can.