Former Loanee Set For Stoke City Return

According to journalist Darren Witcoop, Wolverhampton Wanderers midfielder Luke Cundle is set for a return to Stoke City.

Cundle spent the latter half of last season on loan at the Bet 365 Stadium and is set to rejoin the Potters, again on loan. The former Plymouth Argyle and Swansea City loanee made 16 appearances in red and white last season, scoring twice and assisting the same number.

According to the post, Cundle is one of three deals Steven Schumacher is trying to get over the line before the deadline slams shut at 11 PM tonight.

Schumacher has had a busy window so far, with nine new players linking up with the current squad. The likes of Victor Johnasson, Ben Gibson and Sam Gallagher have joined, and are three players who have joined with past Championship experience. Joining the experienced trio, a group of exciting young Premier League talents in Lewis Koumas, Andrew Moran and Ashley Phillips have also secured temporary moves to the Bet 365 Stadium, with Cundle likely to become the fourth addition to that list.

Perhaps the transfer saga of the summer came from now-former player Tyrese Campbell, who decided to depart the Bet 365 on a free transfer to join Chris Wilder’s Sheffield United. However, without their star striker, who provided 57 goal contributions in over 150 appearances, goal scoring hasn’t proved to be a problem, especially after the side’s 5-0 midweek demolition job over Championship rivals Middlesbrough.

The Potters are looking to improve on their 17th placed finish that they achieved last season, but have endured a tricky start to the new season, only picking up three points from a possible nine so far. However, their fortunes have differed in the EFL Cup, and wins over Carlisle United and Middlesbrough see them play Fleetwood Town in the third round.

It looks to be a busy day up and down the country, not just in Staffordshire, as clubs scramble to get the last bits of their business done before the window shuts tonight.

Writer’s View

With the deadline looming, bringing Cundle back to Stoke is not a bad move. With Lewis Baker joining Blackburn Rovers on loan, and Daniel Johnson terminating his contract, it is clear Schumacher needs midfield reinforcements before the window shuts. With such little time, the question is whether or not Stoke will be able to get all three deals done before the deadline.

Schumacher will hope so, more bodies never go amiss for any team, and with a league as long and gruelling as the Championship, strength in depth is always needed. Bodies will also be needed especially because the side is in the third round of the EFL Cup, with other domestic cups also kicking off in weeks to come.