Stoke are sure Daz still has it

STOKE CITY chairman Peter Coates has defended the signing of Darren Fletcher – insisting that the Scotland internationalist still has the legs to compete in the English Premier League.

The capture of 33-yearold Fletcher from West Brom has done little to ease fears among supporters over the average age of the squad.

Stoke now have 11 players over the age of 30, and only four under 25.

Former Manchester United midfielder Fletcher has signed a two-year deal with the option of a third at the bet365 stadium and Coates insists the 78-times capped player will be an invaluable addition to the squad.

He said: “Yes we are an experienced squad, we are aware of that, and we are always about getting that balance right between younger and older players.

“A lot seems to have been made about his age, but there is no doubt that he is a very good player for his age and is also young for his age.

“He had a couple of years out with illness a few years ago and so he hasn’t been overplayed.

“We believe there is a good few years left in him in terms of his fitness and his mobility.

“He comes to us with a lot of qualities as a player, of course, but also as a person.

“He is a natural leader and you can never have enough of those, while his character is made of stern stuff too.”