No leave for Sammy

Guinea international, Sam Bangoura has not been allowed leave to remain in England ahead of the start of the African Cup of Nations in Egypt later this month.

Both Sammy and Johan Boskamp met the Guinea FA at their training camp in the South of France this week to put their case but Stoke have now confirmed on their official site that it was a fruitless meeting:

‘It was useless’, said the Bos, ‘we speak with the coach and vice President of the Guinean FA for hours but seem to have got nowhere.

‘Its very disappointing because there are players from Senegal who are allowed to play for their clubs before the tournament starts.

‘I hope Sammy can talk them around because he wants to play for us before playing in the tournament for Guinea.’

It now seems certain that Bangoura will miss the matches against Watford, Tamworth, Hull and Wolves. How many more will depend on how far Guinea get in the cup.

Stoke fans will be hoping it’s sooner rather than later!