NZONZI INSPIRED BY STOKE FIRE

STEPHEN NZONZI has no fears about making his Stoke debut against champions Manchester City on Saturday despite his lack of match action this season. The midfielder (left) was frozen out at Blackburn after making it clear he wanted to quit Ewood Park. But Nzonzi was handed a lifeline by Stoke’s £3million deadline day swoop – and now he is ready to hit the ground running against Roberto Mancini’s side.

“I feel good because, although I have not played, I have been training and working hard all of the time,” said Nzonzi.

“It was difficult not playing, difficult mentally sometimes, but now I am fine. It has been good at Stoke because everybody is making me feel good and feel welcome – the staff and the players.”

Potters boss Tony Pulis must decide whether to pair the tough-tackling Nzonzi with fellow new boy Charlie Adam in central midfield after the Scot made a big impact as a sub in the 2-2 draw with Wigan.

Nzonzi added: “The team is very strong and has a good shape. As soon as Adam came onto the pitch, I think he gave something good to the team. He has good quality.

“But it is not really my decision if we play together. The manager will decide.

“Whether it is me and Adam, or somebody else, the most important thing is that the team is good.

“Anything the manager asks me to do, I will try to do it.”