Joe Bursik is set to make his Stoke City debut as injury list piles up for the Potters

Michael O’Neill has confirmed that the Englishman will make his first appearance for the club against Huddersfield at the Bet365 Stadium as their injury list continues to grow.

Bursik was recalled from his loan spell at Doncaster yesterday after Angus Gunn picked up an ankle injury over the international break, whilst first choice keeper Adam Davies still remains sidelined following his early withdrawal against Swansea in October.

He’s made ten league appearances for Rovers so far this campaign, as well as making 20 whilst on loan at Accrington Stanley last term. The news of being recalled topped off a good week for the young goalkeeper as he also made his first international appearance for England under 23’s on Tuesday as they breezed past Albania.

Stoke have been left with no senior goalkeepers, as alongside 20-year-old Bursik is 19-year-old Cameroonian Blondy Nna Noukeu, who has spent the start of this season with City’s under 23’s side following a move from Belgian side Royal Excel Mouscron.

Michael O’Neill will be hoping that his team’s impressive defensive record can continue despite the two goalkeeping setbacks.

His side boasts one of the best clean sheet records in the EFL as they have kept nine in fifteen matches in all competitions this season. When asked about Bursik, the Northern Irish boss expressed his confidence in the Englishman.

“He’s a young, confident goalkeeper and I’ve no doubt he’ll deal with the situation.”

James McClean and Jordan Thompson are another duo that are unavailable for tomorrow’s encounter as the latter returned from his international duty with Northern Ireland with suspected ligament damage, as McClean tested positive for COVID-19 on Monday.

Potters fans can be hopeful though, as manager O’Neill stated in his press conference that “the international break gave Sam Clucas, James Chester and Nathan Collins the chances to get back up to speed”, meaning they could all be in contention for the visit of the Terriers.

Carlos Corberan is hoping to have a full squad of players at his disposal as right-back Pipa and attacking midfielder Alex Pritchard are “close to being back in the squad” according to the Spanish manager.

His side currently sit in 13th, five places behind their opposition, but they can boast an impressive away record as they have earned seven points from their last four outings on the road, including a 3-0 victory away at Millwall, the Championship’s best defensive side.

However, the Potters will also be optimistic as they are unbeaten in their last five matches in all competitions at the Bet365 Stadium, as well as defeating top side Reading 3-0 away from home in their final outing before the international break.

O’Neill can also rely on his in-form forward Tyrese Campbell who has racked up five assists, the joint-most in the league with Brentford’s Bryan Mbuemo.

The last time Stoke and Huddersfield met was back in December 2019 as City ran rampant and came from behind to win 5-2 at the John Smith’s Stadium, in a game that saw talisman Campbell score a brace that sunk the Terriers.

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