'HE'S A GOOD PLAYER WHO'S HAD TO WAIT FOR A CHANCE'

City boss Robins praises character of centre back Talovierov after league debut at right back

- Peter Smith

MARK Robins says Maksym Talovierov showed the character he wants from a Stoke City player after handing the Ukraine centre-half a league debut as deputy right-back.

Robins sprung a surprise when Stoke lined up at Portsmouth with 6ft 5in Talovierov, aged 25, the one who got the nod to fill in for suspended Junior Tchamadeu at right-back.

Stoke's coaches were aware he had previously played at left-back during his time at Slavia Praga and had experimented in training last week after Tchamadeu had picked up his fifth yellow card and a subsequent one-match ban.

Talovierov has now been named in the Championship team of the week, to go along with three points and a clean sheet.

"When you're looking at these things there has to be some sort of evidence that he can do it. It can’t just be hit and hope,” said Robins.