‘I’VE POTT TO KEEP MY COOL’

GARY ROWETT returns to the Stoke dugout today after admitting it has been a struggle containing his frustration this term.

The Potters boss (above) was sent to the stands last weekend in a 1-0 home defeat to his old club Birmingham.

Rowett later accepted a £2,000 FA fine and served a one-match touchline ban in the 1-1 draw at Sheffield United on Tuesday.

And he admitted: “At times this season I’ve got frustrated probably quicker than I normally would as I can see what players here are capable of doing.

“But frustration doesn’t get you more points, it gets you a £2,000 fine and a one-match ban. I’ve got great belief though that we will get what we deserve.”

Rowett acknowledges he faces high expectations at the relegated Potters who spent big this summer.

He added: “I think the expectations are that we’re Stoke City, we’ve spent plenty of money and we feel we should be higher than we are.

“Until we’re sat in the top six, until we’re sat in the top two, people are always going to be disappointed.”

Bristol City chief Lee Johnson has assured keeper Max O’leary, 22, that he can make the first-team shirt his own this season.

The academy product from Bath has played in the last two league games, keeping clean sheets in victories over Brentford and Hull.

With Niki Maenpaa still struggling to overcome an adductor muscle injury and Frank Fielding recovering from viral meningitis, O’leary will face Stoke.

Johnson said: “I have great faith in our academy players and it is not my policy to leave players out when they are performing well.

“Max has taken to Championship football with great maturity. As long as that remains the case the shirt is his, irrespective of his age.”