Team news from Edgeley Park as Stoke City take on Stockport County in their fourth game of pre-season
Steven Schumacher has made changes to his Stoke City starting XI at Stockport as he spreads pre-season game time around his squad.
Ben Wilmot and Ben Gibson start at centre-back but the team changes around them, with Michael Rose missing from the match-day party after rolling an ankle late in a 2-1 win at Crewe on Tuesday evening.
Mehdi Leris gets a chance to stake his claim at right-back, with Jack Bonham in goal – Viktor Johansson is watching from the stands having played an hour in mid-week – and Enda Stevens at left-back. Sol Sidibe starts in holding midfield with Josh Laurent and Daniel Johnson given advanced roles in the middle.
Niall Ennis leads the line, flanked by Andre Vidigal on the right wing and Lynden Gooch on the left. Players are expected to be given 60 minutes here before stepping up to 90 in the remaining warm-up games.
This is Stoke’s fourth out of six summer friendlies and they have won their first three, beating Chester 3-0 and Cork City 5-0 before heading to Gresty Road. They have games to come against Bolton Wanderers, on Tuesday, and AZ Alkmaar. Stockport, promoted as League Two champions last season, will be their toughest challenge so far.
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