‘THOMPSON CAN PUSH ON TO BE A REGULAR...’
JORDAN Thompson is being challenged to prove he can become a mainstay in the Stoke City first team after committing his future to the club.
The 25-year-old midfielder signed a new two-year contract last month as he recovered from an ankle injury which ended his season early.
He is hoping to be back fit for Northern Ireland’s Nations League games against Greece, Cyprus and Kosovo next month.
Then it will be a big few weeks back at Clayton Wood as he tries to show Michael O’neill he can claim one of the spots in the Stoke starting XI.
He has been in and out of the side since joining from Blackpool in January 2020 but part of some of the most eyecatching team performances.
Assistant manager Dean Holden said: “He is a player doing a role that might not necessarily get supporters out of their seats but he gives you legs, he gives you aggression in midfield. He’s got a good left foot, good set piece delivery as well.
“Of course there is still a load of development in him, he’s still a young player, and he’s gaining that all the time.
“It’s about getting fit after an injury and he’s got the potential of some international games at the back end of June. Then it’s a big pre-season for him.
“He’s established himself at the club for a couple of seasons having come from a lower level with Blackpool. Now it’s time for him to push and really believe in himself that he can be a mainstay in the team.”
Thompson was unfortunate with the timing of injuries over the last few months; a knee problem in November that eventually needed surgery, just as he was staking a claim as a starter, then the ankle from a bad challenge at
Reading in early April having forced his way in.
He is not seen as a moaner when he isn’t picked in O’neill’s first team, but that doesn’t mean that he’s content
with sitting on the sidelines watching on.
Holden said: “He certainly isn’t happy when he isn’t playing but he doesn’t let you know in terms of moping around.
“He’s a very good trainer and a valuable member of the squad in that he can come in and perform in games. He may have gone back out of the team for whatever reason but he can come back in and be consistent. He’s a consistent person off the pitch in the way he behaves and trains and he’s a good teammate.
“He gives everything on the pitch and I think you can see that.
“It’s good news for the club he’s extended his contract.”
Romaine Sawyers is being released by West Brom, who are not taking up an option to automatically extend his contract for another 12 months.
The 30-year-old midfielder will be on Stoke’s summer transfer radar as a free agent having fitted in well at the club during a long-term loan. He made 22 starts and seven sub appearances despite missing three months due to a quad injury.
Jacob Brown has been called up for the Scotland squad for a World Cup qualifier against Ukraine on June 1.
The winner will take on Joe Allen’s Wales.