New Stoke City manager Paul Lambert has been speaking about the future of two of the club’s attacking midfielders.
New Stoke City manager Paul Lambert has revealed that he is yet to speak to on-loan forward Bojan about a possible return to the Britannia Stadium this month.
The Spaniard was sent on loan at Alaves by Lambert’s predecessor Mark Hughes, but The Stoke Sentinel reports that he wants to return to Stoke to aid their fight against Premier League relegation.
Lambert was only appointed on Monday and has been busy making Kostas Stafylidis his first signing, but does plan to get round to speaking to Bojan and other on-loan players as soon as possible.
Marc Muniesa and Giannelli Imbula are also away from the Potteries as it stands.
“I haven’t spoken to the lads yet as I just came in the other day. But I know of it and it is something I’ll address later on,” the Scotsman told his press conference on Thursday, as Stoke City’s official website reports.
“We’ll have dialogue, which we’ve already had dialogue here. It is something I tend to do, to try to get round everybody as best and as quick as I can.”
While it is unclear whether or not Bojan will get a second chance, Lambert has promised a clean slate to Stephen Ireland, who he sold to Stoke when he was Aston Villa manager.
Ireland has started Stoke’s last two matches after a horrible run with injuries, and Lambert has acknowledged that the 31-year-old can be an asset if his fitness can be managed.
“I never had a problem with Stephen at Aston Villa. Never once did we have a cross word or anything, just football moves on like that,” Lambert added.
“I know he has had a really hard time with injuries here, I think that was his second game in 20 months or so. It is a long time being out and being thrown into the deep end so I know he is a real talent, Stephen Ireland, but you’ve just got to watch that you don’t overburn him just because he’s had such a long time out.
“Just like everyone else here; everyone will get a chance He can make things happen. He’s a talented footballer. He just needs a bit more fitness, which will come.”
Lambert will take charge of Stoke for the first time when they host Huddersfield Town on Saturday.
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