Stoke City

Mark Elliott
BBC Radio Stoke

Image source, Getty Images

All points are equal, but some points are more equal than others and this one felt extremely valuable.

An injury-hit squad lost Ben Wilmot before the visit to Birmingham City as Stoke City were only able to name two recognised first-team players on the bench.

One of those was Aaron Cresswell, returning from an injury of his own, and he had to share minutes at left-back with starter Eric Bocat, who has also been out and isn't yet ready to play a full game.

That left Ben Pearson and almost half an under-21 team on the bench to offer fresh legs, and a starting XI which included top scorer Sorba Thomas at right-back and another winger in Lamine Cisse up front.

Stoke looked tired in the midweek defeat by Middlesbrough and simply couldn't rotate nearly as much as Mark Robins would surely have liked because of the numbers out.

Having fallen behind to a poor goal, conceded from a set-piece in very un-Stoke fashion, it took immense character and resilience to force a draw against a Birmingham side with a very impressive home record.

That a credible case could be made to say Stoke were the better team overall is a testament to their collective response to the adversity they currently face.

Steven Nzonzi came into the side and was excellent, and at the other end of the football age scale, Favour Fawunmi came on for his first career league appearance and made a good contribution.

The draw keeps Stoke in touch with the top six and, with a week to go until their next game to get players fit and hopefully make an addition or two in the transfer window, some relief may be on the way.

Dutch striker Milan Smit was pictured with fans outside St Andrew's, so his arrival on loan will provide a much-needed option for a squad missing all four recognised strikers through injury.

If Stoke can pick up enough points in the short term to still be in the mix with 10 games to go and with a largely fit squad, they'll be a terrifying prospect for the other teams in the play-off picture.

Stoke City manager Mark Robins praised his players for battling back from a goal down at Birmingham despite having 11 players injured and defender Bosun Lawal suspended.

He told BBC Radio Stoke: "It was an important performance because we are [down to the] bare bones and everyone knows it and sees it, but the packed-out away end was phenomenal and backed us all the way.

"The players really appreciate that. I thought we were the better team in the first half and created some decent openings that we usually don't take anyway.

"We've got 12 players out and the majority of those are first-team starters, or have been, so to put in a performance like that was really pleasing.

"[Birmingham] have been good at home this year and we gave as good as we got, could have taken some chances, and had chances to create shooting opportunities which we turned down - that's the only criticism, I want them to shoot, have a go.

"We conceded a really poor goal, but the response was emphatic, a brilliant delivery from Cressy."

Image source, EFL

A new initiative highlighting the work of football club charities has been launched by the English Football League (EFL).

'Scan to Smile' will be rolled out in stadiums across the EFL from Friday until the end of January, with supporters invited to scan QR codes on posters displayed around grounds.

Each scan will unlock a short, uplifting story from a person whose life has been positively impacted by the support of their local club charity.

The subjects tackled include mental health support, combating loneliness, improving physical wellbeing, employability and confidence.

The EFL said it hoped the initiative would use "the reach and influence of football to offer fans a moment of positivity on matchday".

Trevor Birch, chief executive at the EFL, said: "Behind every club are people whose lives have been positively changed through the work and dedication of their local EFL club charity.

"This initiative gives supporters the chance to see that impact first-hand and reminds us that football truly is a force for good."

Victory for Stoke City at Birmingham City could be enough to take them back into the top six on Saturday, depending on results elsewhere.

But, such is the competitive nature of the Championship, a win for Blues would move them level on points with their opponents and reignite their hopes of gatecrashing the play-off race.

• Birmingham have lost just one of their past 15 home league games against Stoke City (W9 D5), though that sole defeat came in the two sides' last meeting at St Andrews in December 2023.

• After winning the reverse fixture 1-0 back in September, Stoke City will be looking to claim a first league double over Birmingham City since the 1988-89 season.

• Birmingham have won two of their past three league games (D1), after winning just one of their previous nine (D4 L4).

• Stoke have won each of their past two away league games, keeping a clean sheet in each. The Potters have not won three in succession since December 2005 (4) and have not done so without conceding since November 1975.

• Birmingham have scored in each of their past 14 home league games, last enjoying a longer scoring run at St Andrews between April 1969 and January 1970 (15 games).

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Image source, Shutterstock

Stoke City's nightmare injury situation cannot be used as an excuse for disappointing results says winger Sorba Thomas.

A severely-depleted Potters were beaten 2-1 by Middlesbrough at the bet365 Stadium on Wednesday and missed the chance to climb into the play-off places.

"The intensity was there in the first half but it felt it went flat," Thomas told BBC Radio Stoke.

"I don't know whether that was down to fatigue or people not doing their job but it's a learning curve.

"We're down to the bare bones but that can't always be the excuse."

Stoke boss Mark Robins is trying to juggle his side's promotion push with getting his injured players back as soon as possible.

Recent signing, goalkeeper Gavin Bazunu, who missed the Boro game with a thigh problem, is the latest name added to an injury list that contains both recognised left-backs, five strikers, the club's most prolific midfielder and starting right-back.

On the plus side, Eric Bocat is fit enough for the bench while Aaron Cresswell is also back in the squad and midfielder Lewis Baker is understood to be close to joining them.

"You have to deal with what's in front of you. We haven't got time to complain," Thomas added.

"Games in the Championship come thick and fast and if we want to get to where we want to get to - that top six, minimum - we can't sit around and complain.

"For me it's about getting on the pitch and dealing with what's there and try to play to people's strengths.

"The Championship is ruthelss. Every team needs that squad depth.

"At the minute ours is on the physio's bed. But we can keep using that as exuses and crying about injuries - a lot of teams deal with injuries.

"It's just for the boys on the pitch to pull their fingers out and create a bit of magic - myself included."

Mark Elliott
BBC Radio Stoke’s Stoke City commentator

Image source, Getty Images

Stoke lost to Middlesborough because their injury-ravaged side ran out of steam against a team good enough to capitalise.

They played well in the first half, repeatedly causing Boro problems with a well-coordinated press and deservedly led at the break through a first goal in red and white for Tomas Rigo that marks an important step in his acclimatisation to English football.

But missing both recognised left-backs, five strikers, their most prolific midfielder, first-choice goalkeeper and starting right-back, they could not maintain the intensity after the break.

As a unit, they looked exhausted despite showing plenty of fight.

That they have also now lost the man brought in to deputise between the posts for Viktor Johansson after only one game due to injury leaves the impression that the football gods might well be trolling Stoke City.

Gavin Bazunu will be out for six weeks after picking up an injury in training and Bosun Lawal, sent off in the second half, will also miss time through suspension.

They say "it never rains but it pours" - but in this case replace "pours" with "becomes a category five hurricane".

Hope may be on the horizon in the form of the return of the aforementioned left-backs with Eric Bocat again featuring off the bench and Aaron Cresswell back in the squad.

Lewis Baker is also said to be close to a return in midfield and Stoke look set to make at least one more addition to their attack during this transfer window but those reinforcements cannot come soon enough.

Image source, Getty Images

Stoke City goalkeeper Gavin Bazunu is facing a spell on the sidelines after making just one appearance for the club.

The Republic of Ireland international kept a clean sheet on his debut in the 0-0 draw with QPR last weekend after signing on loan from Southampton but missed the defeat to Middlesbrough with a thigh injury.

Stoke manager Mark Robins told BBC Stoke & Staffordshire: "The players are giving everything they can, they are running on fumes. Whatever can go wrong is going wrong.

"We've got to keep giving everything until we can get some bodies back. I cannot believe how people are going down with the injuries they are. It is biting us on the backside.

"Gavin Bazunu will be out for six weeks or so. We are paper thin."

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All English Football League games across a four-day period in February will begin one minute late to raise awareness for the Every Minute Matters campaign.

The initiative will be in place for 36 matches across the Championship, League One and League Two between 5 and 9 February.

EFL sponsor Sky Bet and the British Heart Foundation (BHF) have been working together since May 2024 to highlight the importance of speed when it comes to performing live-saving CPR.

Later kick-off times will serve as "a stark reminder that every minute matters", the EFL said.

Bristol Rovers defender Tom Lockyer collapsed while playing for Luton Town eight minutes into the Championship play-off final against Coventry in May 2023.

Lockyer then suffered a cardiac arrest on the pitch seven months later during a Premier League game at Bournemouth.

"What happened to me can happen to anyone, anywhere, at any time," said Lockyer, who is now a BHF ambassador.

"Every year, more than 40,000 people in the UK suffer an out-of-hospital cardiac arrest and most of them never make it home.

"I'm here today because of the transformative power of CPR as every minute matters when it comes to saving a life.

"This February, we want everyone to get behind this life-saving initiative, learn the skills and be ready to step in because your actions could give someone else the chance I was given."

Throughout February, the Every Minute Matters campaign will call on fans to learn CPR using the BHF's online RevivR, external tool.

"Each minute without CPR reduces a person's chance of survival, so we're urging fans to learn the skills now, before you ever need them," said Dr Charmaine Griffiths, chief executive of the BHF.

EFL chief executive officer Trevor Birch added: "The one minute kick-off adjustment is a simple, powerful reminder that swift CPR can be the difference between life and death."

Image source, Getty Images

Stoke City have agreed a 5.5 euro (£4.8m) fee for Go Ahead Eagles striker Milan Smit. The Dutch forward will sign a three-and-a-half-year deal once he completes a medical this week. (ESPN NL - in Dutch), external

Read all the latest EFL transfer rumours in Wednesday's gossip column here.

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New Stoke City goalkeeper Gavin Bazunu says he is looking forward to a "fresh start" after signing on loan from Championship rivals Southampton for the rest of the season.

The Republic of Ireland international kept a clean sheet on his debut in the 0-0 draw with QPR on Saturday, replacing Tommy Simkin who had deputised for the injured Viktor Johansson assuredly - keeping clean sheets in each of the three games he played in.

With Johansson and Simkin providing strong competition for a place in goal, Bazunu explained his reasons in moving to the Bet365 Stadium midway through the season.

"I feel like the biggest thing for me was wanting a fresh start – somewhere where I was able to start from the bottom and really go again," he told BBC Radio Stoke.

"I can see that it's a brilliant group to be a part of, so I'm very happy with the decision that I've made to come here, and I'm excited to see what things can hold this season."

On making his Stoke debut, Bazunu added: "It was a good game for me to come into. I didn't have too much to do and the lads in front of me were really solid so it was a nice introduction for me."

Stoke currently sit seventh, two points outside the play-off spots.

Image source, Opta

Stoke City and Middlesbrough will seek to answer back to their promotion rivals when they play the final match of the round on Wednesday (20:00 GMT).

Depending how Coventry and Ipswich fare the previous night, Boro could be as many as nine points off the top and down to third by the time they kick-off at the Bet365, seeking a third straight win after scoring seven across their past two victories.

The Potters have kept five clean sheets in their past six games but are seeking a first win in four at home, but a defeat could see them drop out of the top-10, depending on results elsewhere.

• Stoke have only enjoyed three wins in their past 15 league meetings with Middlesbrough (D5 L7), winning none of their last three against Boro (D1 L2).

• After their 3-1 win last season, Middlesbrough could win on back-to-back league visits to Stoke for only the second time in their history, previously doing so in March 1956.

• Stoke have won each of their past five home league matches played on a Wednesday, their best winning streak on this day of the week since December 1996 (6).

• Middlesbrough have only lost two of their past 13 away league matches on a Wednesday (W8 D3), defeats at Preston in February 2024 (1-2) and Sheffield United in February 2025 (1-3).

• Mark Robins has won six of his nine previous Championship home games against Middlesbrough as a manager (D1 L2), although did lose his only one as Stoke boss last season (1-3).

Stoke City's move for Hull City full-back Cody Drameh, 24, could fall through due to his fitness. (The72), external

Millwall are reportedly rivalling Stoke and Preston North End to sign veteran midfielder Barry Bannan from Sheffield Wednesday, but Owls boss Henrik Pedersen is hopeful the 36-year-old will stay at the club. (Edinburgh Evening News), external

Stoke and Swansea City are battling Celtic for the signing of Crystal Palace winger Jesurun Rak-Sakyi, 23, who is on loan at Turkish Super Lig club Caykur Rizespor having spent last season with Sheffield United. (Celts Are Here), external

Want more transfer news from the EFL? Take a look at Monday's gossip column here.

Mark Elliott
BBC Radio Stoke’s Stoke City commentator

Image source, Getty Images

Stoke City are well overdue some luck.

Just as Eric Bocat made his return to the matchday squad to ease an injury crisis that had left them without a fit full-back, the Potters lost every recognised striker in their ranks.

Robert Bozenik was already out after a shoulder surgery when injury-plagued Sam Gallagher suffered another setback ruling him out of another game.

Then a horrible tackle from QPR captain Jimmy Dunne sent Divin Mubama to hospital with a suspected broken leg.

It's a terrible shame for on-loan Manchester City forward Mubama, who has been working hard to try to make the best of his first season of senior men's football, and Stoke fans will now wonder whether they'll see him in red and white again.

It was even more frustrating, coming as it did in a game peppered with poor challenges from an Rs team intent on spoiling and happy to take a point.

They were overly physical, determined to waste as much time as they could and devoid of any attacking ambition - a sad shadow of a club with such a proud history of fielding teams with a commitment to entertain.

Stoke were dominant but couldn't find the goal that would have given them the victory they deserved statistically and morally, despite creating some good chances.

Now, two points off the play-offs in seventh, they go into a game against Middlesbrough in midweek desperate for reinforcements that PSR constraints heavily restrict their ability to find.

Injuries are threatening to spoil an amazing season but a fourth successive clean sheet offers hope and a brilliant foundation on which to build.

What they can do in what's left of the transfer window now takes on added importance.

Sam Fletcher
BBC Final Score reporter

Image source, Getty Images

Stoke have the best defence in the league, only 23 goals have made it past them so far this season.

Injured goalkeeper Viktor Johansson has received a lot of praise for this statistic but watching the team without him, I think the back four deserve equal plaudits.

They are like a brick wall. Watching on, you have confidence that they will win duels, chase down every ball and keep fighting until the last breath.

They left very little for new goalkeeper, Southampton loanee Gavin Bazunu, to do on his Stoke debut and it's now four clean sheets in four.

However, a great defence doesn't win games or help lift Stoke back into the play-offs.

If the attack can match the defence, they'll be near unbeatable but after one of their strikers Divin Mubama was stretchered off against QPR, there may be work to do.

Mark Robins was pleased with his Stoke City side's efforts during their 0-0 draw with fellow Championship promotion hopefuls Queens Park Rangers - but he was angered by the challenge which he fears has left striker Divin Mubama with a broken leg.

Mubama, on loan from Manchester City, was stretchered off in the early stages of the second half after being on the receiving end of a challenge from Hoops defender Jimmy Dunne, who was booked for his troubles.

Robins described the tackle as a 'terrible' one and although he was heartened by his side's showing, he indicated that his thin squad must be aided in the transfer window.

He told BBC Radio Stoke: "I'm incredibly proud of the players. I thought they gave us everything again.

"The support was outstanding, they got right behind the team the whole way through. There are things I'm frustrated with that I can't talk about, but everyone will know what I'm talking about.

"With Divin, it looks like a broken ankle, or broken fibula. It was just a terrible, terrible tackle. There were some blatantly poor decisions.

"I feel aggrieved it's ended up 0-0 in a game that was disrupted by them in a number of ways. How teams can get away with that in this day and age is beyond me.

"I'm really frustrated because, again, they've given everything, we've created chances, we're down to the bare bones and now we've got a broken leg.

"We need some help, which is easier said than done, but I've got to find a way of patching the team up and getting them out on Wednesday."

Image source, Opta

Stoke City will go in search of a fourth straight win as they welcome QPR to the Bet365 Stadium on Saturday (15:00 GMT).

The Potters climbed back up to eighth in the Championship, within a point of the play-offs, after wins, and clean sheets, at Hull and Norwich, before a 1-0 success against Coventry in the FA Cup third round last Saturday.

The R's are three places and two points further back but have taken a single point from their past four away games and went down 2-1 at West Ham in the FA Cup on Sunday.

• Stoke City have won their past two home league games against QPR, beating them 1-0 in 2023/24 and 3-1 in 2024/25.

• QPR are looking to record their first league double over Stoke City since beating them twice in the 2019/20 campaign.

• Stoke have won their first two league games in 2026, beating Hull and Norwich. The Potters last started a calendar year with three wins back in 2004.

• QPR striker Richard Kone scored three goals in his first four Championship appearances, scoring with all three shots on target. Since then, he has just two goals in 20 matches, enjoying an overall shot conversion ratio of just 5.3% in those 20 games.

• No player has been involved in more Championship goals this season than Stoke's Sorba Thomas (9 goals, 6 assists), although he only has one assist (and no goals) in seven appearances against QPR.