Match Previews

Friendly Preview | Wanderers v Stoke City

30th July 2024

Wanderers are back at the Toughsheet Community Stadium for their second and final home pre-season friendly.

Stoke City are the visitors as Ian Evatt’s men face Championship opposition for a third time as part of their build-up to the new campaign.

Stoke – who ended last season strongly to climb away from relegation danger and finish 17^th in the table – start their seventh successive season at Championship level at home to Coventry City on Saturday, 10^th August.

Steven Schumacher’s squad follows its trip to Wanderers with a home game against Dutch side AZ Alkmaar this coming Saturday to round off their pre-season schedule.

Wanderers face Stoke's neighbours Port Vale at Vale Park on Saturday in their last test before their League One season begins at Leyton Orient.

Manager quotes

Wanderers' boss Ian Evatt: “Stoke will be a very good side and another from a higher level. It’s another game to look forward to and another game that we can hopefully perform well in to get us ready for the start of the season, because that’s what matters.”

Team news

Dion Charles is set for a welcome return to action for Wanderers.

Last season's top scorer has recovered from a knee injury which has been carefully managed over the summer and will get some minutes for the first time since Wembley.

Strike partner Aaron Collins picked up a knock in Friday night's draw with Fiorentina and may not feature.

However, summer signings Luke Southwood and Chris Forino are back in training following injury and will hope to be involved either against Stoke or Port Vale on Saturday.

The Potters have introduced a number of fresh faces to their squad this summer, including Swedish goalkeeper Viktor Johansson from Rotherham.

Stoke have also strengthened in the left wing-back position by signing 24-year-old Eric-Junior Bocat from Belgian side Sint-Truiden and brought in experienced central defender Ben Gibson following his departure from Norwich City.

However, they are on the look-out for further defensive reinforcements with centre-back Michael Rose facing a sustained spell on the sidelines with an ankle injury.

Form guide

Wanderers came from behind to claim a draw 1-1 against Serie A opponents Fiorentina on Friday night with an impressive performance at the Toughsheet Community Stadium where Victor Adeboyejo was on target with the equaliser.

Ian Evatt's men were previously winners in fixtures against West Bromwich Albion and Chorley with a defeat to Middlesbrough sandwiched in between.

Stoke - with ex-Plymouth boss Steven Schumacher about to start his first full season in charge following his appointment last December - beat Chester, Cork City and Crewe Alexandra before losing 1-0 to League Two Champions Stockport County last Saturday.