Watford vs Stoke: Giannelli Imbula could be Mark Hughes’ answer to Potters’ midfield crisis on Sunday
Midfielder has fallen out of favour under boss after joining less than a year ago but could be set for reprieve against Hornets
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MARK HUGHES is ready to bring frozen out record signing Giannelli Imbula in from the cold against Watford on Sunday.
The £18.3million midfielder was signed by Stoke boss Hughes at the end of last winter’s January transfer window.
Imbula, 24, arrived from Porto but has struggled to adapt to the Premier League.
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Hughes dropped him this season but admitted he has stayed in close touch with the Frenchman - and is determined not to see him flop.
But with Joe Allen suspended for the trip to Vicarage Road and Glenn Whelan battling with a calf injury, Hughes may give Imbula another chance to impress.
Hughes said: “We had an honest conversation when he went out of the team and I made it clear there were aspects of his game he needed to improve if he wanted to progress in a really difficult league.
“He’s working hard and still a young man, in fairness, and this is a big step for him. We’ve got to be patient because he’s going to be here for a long time.”
Hughes hinted that Imbula may be needed with Stoke a ‘bit skinny’ in midfield.
Sparky added: “We’re two days away from the game and we’ll investigate that in the coming days and make a decision going into the game.
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“‘G’ is a little bit frustrated and he was honest enough to say that, given the amount of ability he has, he wasn’t able to impact games.
“He needed to go out of the team, but we’ve had a really good response on the training pitch and his focus is very much on getting back into the team.
“It could be this weekend. He’s a viable option given the circumstances. His training and his work is first class at the moment, so I’d have no qualms involving him.”