'I'm hoping for him and for us that he'll be OK'

MARK Robins is keeping his fingers crossed for Jordan Thompson, who was stretchered off during a win that gave Stoke City a huge push towards Championship safety.

- 

Thompson was dropped to the bench at the start of the afternoon against Sheffield Wednesday, but came on for a starring role at left-back, playing a part in the opening goal for Million Manhoef.

He left with an ankle in a brace before Stoke got a second in comical fashion as Wednesday keeper Pierce Charles kicked straight into Ben Wilmot and saw the ball rebound into his net.

It is a win that lifts Stoke - who hosted their biggest crowd since playing in the Premier League in 2018 seven points away from the bottom three with three games to play.

Robins admitted it was a tough call to leave Thompson out in the first place, but now he faces a headache at left-back because Eric Bocat also limped off, Josh Wilson-Esbrand, who was back on the bench, was described as "fit but not really fit", and Enda Stevens' season could already be over due to injury.