Stoke suffer Nuremberg trial

Stoke City went down to a solitary goal in the first of two friendlies at their summer training camp in Austria.

The goal from Greek international, Angelos Charisteas on 30 minutes was enough in what has been described as a closely fought match against FC Nuremberg who were relegated from the German Bundesliga at the end of last season.

The Potters’ new signing, Dave Kitson made his debut in a Stoke shirt but was unable to find the back of the net during his 45 minutes on the pitch.

As in the match against Newcastle Town on Friday evening, Stoke fielded a different team in each half with just Steve Simonsen playing for the entire 90 minutes. Ric Fuller took no part again as he battles back to full fitness, but Salif Diao played after missing the match against ‘Castle.

Potters’ first half team: Simonsen, Griffin (C), Cort, Shawcross, Pugh, Lawrence, Delap, Whelan, Cresswell, Sidibe, Kitson.

Second half: Simonsen, Wilkinson, Buxton, Matteo (C), Dickinson, Pugh, Whelan, Pulis, Diao, Parkin, Pericard