Boost for Stoke as Diouf returns ahead of trip to Arsenal

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Paul Lambert will be pleased that Mame Biram Diouf picked up some valuable minutes with Senegal ahead of Stoke City’s trip to Arsenal.

Stoke City forward Mame Biram Diouf returned to action with Senegal during the international break, starting the game against Bosnia and Herzegovina last night.

The former Manchester United man suffered a shoulder injury against Southampton at the beginning of the month and has not featured for Stoke since.

In his 28 league appearances for the Potters this term, the Senegalese has scored five goals and is the club’s joint second top scorer along with Eric Choupo-Moting, who is currently injured and will be out for a number of weeks.

Speaking to the Stoke City website, manager Paul Lambert spoke of his hope that all international Potters return to training fit and well this week, ahead of a crucial fixture against Arsenal as the club desperately try to pick up points and climb out of the relegation zone.

“Hopefully they will all be okay – we expect them to be because the word we have from them all right now is that they are,” the Scotsman said.

“Mame [Biram Diouf] has been a miss for us, but he played for his country over the break so hopefully he is OK now. Obviously we are going to have to take a close look at him.”

With Choupo-Moting out, Stoke fans will be praying Diouf can return to partner top scorer Xherdan Shaqiri although, in the game against Southampton when the striker injured his shoulder, the pair appeared to have a small disagreement.

As one of the relegation favourites, the last thing the club needs is a breakdown of relationships in the dressing room and the duo, who have 12 goals between them this season, will need to be at their best for the remaining seven league fixtures.