Stoke Boss Confirms Mikel In Contention To Return To Stoke City's Starting XI Vs Bournemouth

Published: January 01, 2021

Stoke City boss Michael O'Neill has confirmed that former Chelsea midfielder John Obi Mikel is in contention to return to the starting lineup when his side battle Bournemouth in the Championship tomorrow night.

Mikel came through his comeback game unscathed, playing the last 22 minutes as the Potters were forced to a 1-1 draw by Nottingham Forest on Wednesday, after spending a month on the sidelines.

Th 2013 Africa Cup of Nations winner was one of the first names on the team sheet before his injury with fourteen consecutive starts in the division.

Providing a fitness update on the squad, O'Neill told reporters at his pre-match press conference : "John Obi Mikel and Sam Clucas came off the bench on Tuesday so they will come back into contention.

"It’s just a case of how many minutes and where they are physically in terms of being ready to return".

If Mikel is given a run out at the bet365 Stadium, it would be his 408th game for his English clubs, with 372 in the colours of Chelsea.

Igho Kingsley

Photo Credit : stokecityfc.com

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