Lambert isn’t caught napping
WEST HAM striker Andy Carroll has an ankle injury and faces a possible lengthy absence.
Carroll, right, has been linked with a move to Premier League champions Chelsea but now any move in this transfer window appears to be unlikely after a scan revealed the severity of the injury yesterday.
Surgery is among the options being considered. PAUL LAMBERT takes charge of his first Stoke game admitting he is having sleepless nights due to his excitement.
The former Wolves and Aston Villa boss has enjoyed his break from the game, spending time in Germany commentating on the Bundesliga and meeting old friends from his former club Borussia Dortmund, but he cannot wait to get started as Stoke face Huddersfield at home.
“Sleep? I couldn’t even spell it, let alone get time to do it,” he said, after being confirmed as Mark Hughes’ replacement on Monday. “To say I’m having to pinch myself would be an understatement. A week ago if you’d have asked me what I was doing this Saturday, I wouldn’t have had a clue.
“I enjoyed Germany because I like the lifestyle and the markets. But there’s only so much Gluhwein you can drink.”
Stoke have signed Greece left-back Kostas Stafylidis, 24, on loan from FC Augsburg for the rest of the season. LIVERPOOL’S record signing Virgil van Dijk and captain Jordan Henderson have both returned to full training ahead of Monday’s trip to Swansea. Van Dijk, left, missed Sunday’s win over Manchester City with a tight hamstring. But the £75million signing from Southampton was pictured back in training yesterday and is set to return at the Liberty Stadium.