'I have no doubts at all about his talent'

POTTERS BOSS IN PRAISE OF MIDFIELD STAR AHEAD OF A CRUCIAL GAME IN THE FIGHT AGAINST RELEGATION

- Peter Smith

MANAGER Mark Robins believes Lewis Baker is stepping up and taking responsibility in a new Stoke City regime which has no doubts about his potential.

Baker's Stoke career has swung from being made captain by Michael O'Neill to pushed out by Alex Neil and exiled by Steven Schumacher to then being recalled by Robins and promoted to front of stage again.

The 29-year-old is enjoying a run of games in attacking midfield and has a knack of getting himself onto the scoresheet any which way a penalty against Preston North End last weekend and a deflected free-kick against Luton Town in mid-week.

He has six goals and two assists in his last 10 games, having been summoned back from a loan at Blackburn Rovers by Robins in January, and he will lead Stoke's fight in a huge game against league rivals Cardiff this afternoon (3pm).

"I love the fact that he's a top footballer, a great lad and a top professional," said Robins.

"It's a mix that when things are right and he's feeling good, he can produce performances of a really high calibre.