Macari looking to build on loan when he returns to Stoke
LEWIS Macari returns from a successful loan in Ireland this week ready to stake his claim for a place in Stoke City’s first team squad next season.
The versatile 20-year-old defender – grandson of Lou and son of Paul – has been receiving positive reviews at Dundalk challenging at the top of the Irish Premier Division, having made the switch in February to get senior game time under his belt.
Macari, pictured with grandad Lou, can play right-back and leftback, in a back three or defensive midfield and Michael O’neill has been impressed by his technique and attitude. He can now have a short break until it is expected he will have a chance to show his progress in pre-season. It will be an interesting summer for Stoke in fullback positions, with Tommy Smith out of contract and Morgan Fox out of favour. Macari’s agent Phil Sproson said: “Stoke have been happy with his progress in Ireland. The difficulty sometimes with being versatile is that you don’t know if you’re selling a settee or a chair. Lewis is either a right-back, leftback or perhaps holding midfielder but perhaps right-back is his best position.
“He’s got a fantastic attitude, he’s quick and comfortable on the ball. He’s got some really good ingredients for a good career and you can’t have a better pedigree than he’s got. Hopefully he’s going to come back and kick on next season.
“The door seems open for young players at Stoke but the players have to make sure they take a chance to impress the manager – and sometimes the manager has to have a leap of faith and give them a go too.” Macari is among a group of young Stoke players who have gained experience out on loan over the last few months and their development will be scrutinised in pre-season. Connor Taylor, aged 20, was nominated for League Two’s young player of the year award thanks to a key role helping Bristol Rovers challenge for promotion. Tomorrow he goes into a final-day home game against Scunthorpe (3pm). Rovers are fourth and only behind Northampton – who are away at Barrow – on goal difference.
Doug Taylor, also 20, has been playing for Fylde in National League North and fellow striker Ethon Varian, 20, has been a regular at Raith Rovers in the Scottish Championship. Eddy Jones, aged 20, has been picking up minutes for Altrincham in the Conference while Kieran Coates, another 20-yearold defender, has spent the last couple of months at Cork City, who are top of the Irish First Division. Tom Sparrow, Emre Tezgel and Will Forrester are among the other youth graduates who will hope to catch O’neill’s eye in the build-up to next season, which has been brought forward due to the Championship’s month-long break for the Qatar 2022 World Cup in November. Stoke conclude this season at home to Coventry tomorrow (12.30pm). Tickets are still available – starting from £25 for adults, £8 for under-11s – but supporters will need a purchase history because Coventry have sold their entire allocation in the away end.