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Hughes Hopeful On Allen Availability

Manager monitoring midfielder ahead of Sunderland game

MARK HUGHES is hoping Joe Allen will be deemed fit enough to play in Stoke City’s Premier League clash with Sunderland this weekend.

The Wales midfielder is nursing a hamstring problem having been forced off in his nation’s 2-2 draw with Austria seven days ago.

Allen, who scored the opening goal of the World Cup qualifier in Vienna, missed out on Sunday’s draw against Georgia at the Cardiff City Stadium and is being monitored closely since returning to the Potteries.

“We’re still checking on Joe, he hasn’t trained with the group yet,” City’s boss explained.

“We’ve just got to be a little bit careful with him; unfortunately he probably did a little bit too much with the Welsh squad.

“We would have given him an extra day’s rest but he trained with [them] and that’s probably compromised him a little bit so they have to be a little bit careful in that regard.

“We’re hopeful that he’s going to be okay and we’ll have to check on him tomorrow.”

Should Allen be ruled out for the Black Cats’ visit to the bet365 Stadium, a decision will have to be made on who replaces him.

The likes of Bojan, Charlie Adam, Giannelli Imbula and Ramadan could come into contention and Hughes knows whichever player he picks to fill the void will be eager to impress.

“When players go out of the team it’s an opportunity for others,” he added.

“We’ve got a good squad so we’ve got plenty of options.”
Source://www.stokecityfc.com/

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