Mark Robins issues Wouter Burger injury update amid Stoke City ‘frustration’..
Wouter Burger ‘back on the grass’ according to Stoke manager ahead of Saturday’s trip to Norwich City..
Injuries to key players have plagued Stoke City for most of a troubled season – and fans thought the curse had struck again when Wouter Burger limped off against Swansea last week.
The Dutchman has hit top form under new boss Mark Robins, particularly since Stoke rejected a deadline-day approach for his services from Danish Superliga leaders FC Midtjylland.
But he was subbed after 70 minutes of the 3-1 victory over the Swans after scoring for the Potters and turning in arguably his best display of the season so far.
READ MORE: Mark Robins highlights danger facing Stoke despite Norwich City struggles
READ MORE: ‘They’ve probably hated me’ – Ben Pearson on his year out, yellow cards and what everyone says about Stoke City
However, Robins delivered an encouraging update on the knee problem that restricted Burger’s time last week, saying: “It’s looking a lot more positive. He’s on the grass training.”
While it looks like Burger has a chance of facing Norwich City on Saturday (3pm kick-off), Robins admits to being frustrated by the absence of key men as he plots Stoke’s escape route away from the Championship relegation zone.
He added in his pre-match press conference: “I can’t wait for everybody to be available so I don’t have to think about how long I can use people for. That’ll become easier over time.
“There’s a lot of consideration around things at the minute, which comes with people being out for a length of time and where they are in their recovery. Some of them have come directly back into the team whereas historically people go and play in the under 21s first.”
The manager also credited players like Ben Pearson, who has stayed mentally strong after a hamstring injury meant he was out of action for the better part of a year. However, after some time in the under-21s, he has come back robust and looking to find his best form under Robins.
