Tchamadeu comeback helps end right-back juggling for Robins

DEFENDER'S ABSENCE THROUGH AFCON AND INJURY HAS BEEN A REAL HEADACHE. PETE SMITH REPORTS...

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Junior Tchamadeu in action against Ipswich in midweek. He has suffered an injury, planning for Cameroon. Picture: Getty Images/LIVESEC

IT-AGAIN Junior Tchamadeu has given everyone at Stoke City a lift even as he is still trying to get back to his best barnstorming form - and his return is perhaps a chance to reflect on what had to be juggled in his absence.

Stoke knew there was a chance that Tchamadeu might be called up for the Africa Cup of Nations in the winter, albeit that he hadn't played for Cameroon since 2023, and had Bosun Lawal and Ben Wilmot, as well as Syd Agina and Jaden Mears, pencilled in as right-back cover when they had to balance their squad at the end of the summer transfer window.

Tchamadeu did get called up and then picked up a nasty knee injury when he was out there.

Lawal went down with an injury while he was deputising, Mears has been injured too and Agina's season has also been disrupted by injuries - and this week Wilmot has been ruled out for the rest of the campaign with a calf problem.

But 22-year-old Tchamadeu is back, making a cameo last weekend at Swansea and then playing 70 minutes in a 3-3 draw with Ipswich on Tuesday night.

He has already given reminders of what he can offer Mark Robins going forward down that side when he has his tail up.