AXED HERO GETS VOTE Grant still Stoke No.1
LEE GRANT looks set to storm to victory in Stoke’s Player of the Year vote – despite being axed from the side.
The 34-year-old keeper finds himself out in the cold even though he has had a dream season for the Potters.
Stoke skipper Ryan Shawcross says disappointed Grant will get his vote and expects him to win a landslide victory for the award.
Grant’s inspirational performances as cover for injured England keeper Jack Butland earned him a permanent transfer from Derby in January following a loan spell.
Decision
Butland was out for 12 months after fracturing his ankle playing for England in a friendly against Germany.
Now Butland, 24, is back and Stoke boss Mark Hughes made the decision to put him straight into the team.
Shawcross admitted it was a tough call but expects Grant’s 30 appearances this season to be acknowledged by his team-mates. ®
He said: “I think he will end up being player of the season.
“He made a lot of vital saves earlier in the year when we needed them.
“Obviously he was disappointed to be left out, but there’s no problem there and he’s had a great season.
“Jack’s also a top-class keeper and the gaffer has decided to give him the last couple of games.”
Shawcross believes Grant could not have envisaged being such a hit when first asked to come in.
The defender added: “If you’d told Lee when he signed for Stoke at the start of the season he’d end up being player of the season but might miss out on the last couple of games, he’d have snapped your hand off.
“He’s disappointed, but he’s had a great season.”
Butland is rated one of the best English keepers and Shawcross added: “The longer we keep him, the better. He’s a very talented lad and it’s nice to see him back on the pitch.
“We just hope he can stay fit for a long time.
“Around the dressing room he’s very vocal and obviously being an England international he’s got a lot of experience. It’s just nice to see him fit and playing well.”