Stoke: Phillips needs to get fit

Stoke City’s new signing, 23 year old Jamaica midfielder, Demar Phillips may not make his debut for the Potters for another two weeks.

The international player has made 27 appearances for his national team but was relatively unknown in England before agreeing a three year contract from Jamaican club, Waterhouses on deadline day last week. Whilst he still has to be granted a UK work permit, that is regarded as a formality, considering the number of international appearances he has already made. It’s in contrast to fellow Jamaican, Rudolph Austin who was refused a work permit last week after he had not completed the required number of internationals over the past two years due to injury.

With the international break this weekend, there are no Championship fixtures until Saturday 15th September when the Potters will make the trip to the east coast to face Hull City. This will help Potters’ manager, Tony Pulis and his team who have just had their first serious look at their new ‘Reggae Boy’ in training, after which Pulis announced that he is unlikely to feature as he is not yet fit enough.

If he doesn’t play against the Tigers, then the next opportunity is the home tie against Barnsley three days later, but that also may be deemed too soon.

One player who may be back in action earlier than expected is Stephen Wright. The player, on loan from the Black Cats, suffered an ankle injury in the match against Charlton two weeks ago but has made a faster then expected recovery and, with this weekend off, may be fit for the Tigers’ clash.