Stoke City chairman delighted by loanee goalkeeper Lee Grant’s impact

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Businessman Peter Coates first became Potters’ chairman in 1989 and later returned for a second stint in 2005.

Stoke City chairman Peter Coates has told the BBC that he is delighted with the impact of goalkeeper Lee Grant, who moved to the Bet365 Stadium on a six-month loan deal from Derby County on transfer deadline day in August.

Potters’ manager Mark Hughes moved to sign the Rams’ goalkeeper as backup for the injured Jack Butland, who is still on the sidelines after fracturing his ankle during England’s 3-2 friendly victory over Germany back in March.

Grant initially played second-fiddle to veteran goalkeeper Shay Given, who started for Stoke throughout the opening stages of the season, however a dismal run of results meant that the 33-year-old goalkeeper was handed a chance to impress during the Potters’ 1-1 draw with West Brom last month.

Although Grant made a steady league debut for his new club during the home draw with the Baggies, it was during his second outing at Old Trafford where he really made an impression, pulling off a string of exceptional saves to repel Jose Mourinho’s side in a man-of-the-match performance, as Stoke claimed an unlikely away point.

Since being instated into the Potters’ net, Grant has yet to be on the losing side, and the Derby loanee has conceded just two goals during Stoke’s current four-game unbeaten run, helping Hughes’ side climb out of the bottom three after a disappointing start to the 2016/17 campaign.

Grant has been in such inspired form that he has earned glowing praise from Stoke chairman Coates, who has praised the goalkeeper’s ability to step up to the plate despite his lack of top-flight experience.

“He’s put in some great performances, he’s done remarkably well” The 78-year-old told BBC Radio Stoke.

“He’s come in and had an opportunity to play at a higher level and he must be as delighted as we are – it’s a great story.”

With Butland not set to return to action till November at the earliest, Grant looks set to continue in the Stoke City goal over the coming weeks, as Mark Hughes’ resurgent side try to extend their current unbeaten run.

Next up for The Potters is a home-tie with struggling Swansea City and the opportunistic Grant will be looking to shut out Bob Bradley’s Jacks with another goalkeeping masterclass.