SOUTTAR: I’M SO GRATEFUL FOR STOKE SUPPORT

Potters defender looking to make up for lost time after returning to action following injury

HARRY Souttar has paid tribute to the Stoke City medical team that has got him back playing.

The 24-year-old centre-half has had a landmark week, being named in the Australia World Cup squad and making his first start for Stoke since suffering anterior cruciate ligament damage exactly a year ago today.

He came through 90 minutes as Stoke kept a clean sheet to beat Luton on Tuesday night and is being assessed today and tomorrow to see if he can keep his place for a trip to West Bromwich Albion tomorrow before flying out on international duty.

“It’s been a long road,” he said. “I think after four or five months I was back running on the grass but then had a set-back where I had to wait another three months with no running at all. It was back from scratch really.

“But I’ve got to shout out to the physios and Nick Meace, who has been amazing.

“Some days I’ve wanted to kill him because of the things he’s put me through. He’s been there for me in the hard times and I can’t thank him enough for what he’s done for me getting me back fit.

“There are a load of guys there; Walshy (Paul Walsh), Joel (Dawson).

“I could thank so many people and the whole backroom staff has been a team thing and they were happy to see me back out there.”

He added: “It’s quite a tough year but I don’t really want to dwell on the past now. Hopefully, fingers crossed, it’s all gone now and it’s just looking forward to the game on Saturday and getting another three points.”

Souttar had helped set Australia on their way to qualify for Qatar but, without him, they needed to win nail-biting play-offs to secure their place in a group with France, Denmark and Tunisia.

Manager Graham Arnold has kept him in the loop – Souttar was with the team as they beat United Arab Emirates and Peru to reach the finals – and it was no surprise that the defender was named in the squad.

Souttar said: “It’s a dream come true to play in a World Cup and that was a big moment, getting selected.

“When I did my injury, a year to the day this week, the first thing I thought was that I had a year to get fit for the World Cup.

“As the weeks and months went by it was looking like it was touch and go.

“I’m thankful we made it and hopefully I get through Saturday ok and then I can’t wait to represent my country and try to make history with Australia.”

First up, however, is a visit to the Hawthorns.

Stoke need a win to give themselves a chance to go into the World

Cup break in the top half of the Championship.

Souttar is keen to play on and said: “It’s probably a discussion I’ll have with the manager and how I feel over the next few days. But I feel ok. I’ve done a lot of work behind the scenes, running, trying to get my body back fit. I’m not as fit as I’d like to be because it’ll take five to 10 games to get to where I was before.

“But I feel really, really good – good to go.”