Stoke City head coach Mark Robins has issued a positive injury update on attacker Sam Gallagher after he was withdrawn early in the second half of the 0-0 draw with Plymouth Argyle yesterday afternoon.
The 29-year-old has struggled for fitness since joining the Potters in the summer from Blackburn Rovers, making just nine appearances. He returned from his latest setback last month, with his minutes being managed from the substitutes bench.
Robins took charge of Stoke for the first time for the visit of relegation-threatened Plymouth yesterday, handing Gallagher his first start since October. However, he lasted just 49 minutes before being replaced by Wouter Burger.
Robins Alleviates Injury Fears
Gallagher’s early withdrawal sparked fears that he had suffered yet another injury. Robins was quick to downplay the situation though, although admitted that the former Birmingham City loanee had felt his hamstring. Speaking after the match, via Stoke On Trent Live, the 55-year-old said:
“Sam felt his hamstrings, I think bilaterally. I think he’s just taken himself out of the firing line a little bit and if he’s done that at the right time, brilliant, he’s saved himself and it’s just tiredness, fatigue. If he’s starting to understand his body like that then great. It means we can really start to build him up without getting him injured.
“I wanted to keep him on for an hour. I played him because I wanted to try to get after them. I think he’s got the power and the pace and the know-how to be able to score and almost did at times. We got him into decent positions but we were reaching for things, over-reaching and stretching when we were moving the ball but other than that, if you can’t win, don’t lose.”
Writer’s View
It was always going to be a gamble starting Gallagher. Robins revealed that he was only every going to play 60 minutes, so to fall short of that mark will be a disappointment. However, managing his minutes should see his body adjust to the vigours of regular football once again. When it does, he will be a major asset for the Potters. Having barely featured since his arrival in the summer, he could be like a new signing for the second half of the season.
