Patience is the key for City as Nzonzi gets up to speed

STOKE City will remain patient to usher Steven Nzonzi into the first team fold but have already seen the kind of influence he can have around the training ground.

- Peter Smith

The classy 36-year-old midfielder rejoined Stoke City a month ago, having added a World Cup and Europa League title to his CV in the decade since he was last bossing games for the club in the Premier League.

He hadn't played and only trained on his own since his last days with Sepahan in Iran in May and manager Mark Robins and sporting director Jon Walters are not rushing him back before he’s physically ready - but it shouldn't be too long until he’s putting himself in contention.

Walters said: "He's obviously a different player than he was when he was first here as a young player but you should see the level he brings in training by having a World Cup winner around the squad.

"It’s great for our French-speaking players and for everyone to have that kind of player around the team.

"What does that bring to everyone else to see the standards he holds himself to, doing things right, eating right, living right, rehab, gym, how you train, what you demand.