Stoke & Staffordshire

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  1. Former Stoke boss Pelach joins Potter at West Hampublished at 12:33 9 January

    Narcis Pelach, during his time in charge of Stoke CityImage source, Getty Images

    Former Stoke City head coach Narcis Pelach has been appointed first-team coach at West Ham United as part of new Hammers' boss Graham Potter's backroom staff.

    Pelach was sacked by Stoke on December 27 after just three months in charge during which they won only three of his 19 games at the helm.

    "Narcis Pelach is a really young coach who is excellent on the grass, excellent with the players," Potter told his first West Ham news conference, having been confirmed as Julen Lopetegui's replacement.

    "We need everyone to be pulling in the same direction, we need to be aligned and using the resources we have."

    Pelach had been appointed Stoke head coach in September having held previous assistant roles at Huddersfield Town and Norwich City.

    He joins Billy Reid and Bruno Saltor as part of Potter's coaching team at The London Stadium.

  2. Stoke recall midfielder Baker from Blackburn loanpublished at 13:56 8 January

    Lewis Baker scores a late winner against Coventry City on the opening day of the seasonImage source, Getty Images
    Image caption,

    Lewis Baker's late winner beat then Coventry City boss Mark Robins' Sky Blues on the opening day of this season

    New Stoke City boss Mark Robins has recalled midfielder Lewis Baker from his scheduled season's loan with Blackburn Rovers.

    The 29-year-old former Chelsea youth player scored the only goal of the game to beat Robins' Coventry City on the opening day of the season.

    But he was then allowed out on loan to fellow Championship side Blackburn on transfer deadline day in August.

    He has made 13 appearances to help Blackburn to seventh place in the Championship, 12 places and 12 points ahead of Stoke.

    But he has returned to The Potters in time for Saturday's FA Cup third-round tie at Sunderland.

    "It was clear in discussions with Mark that he believes Lewis can play an important role in our squad," said sporting director Jonathan Walters.

    "With the best part of 300 career appearances to his name, Lewis will add invaluable experience, while his technical ability is something our supporters will be well aware of.

    "Having started each of Blackburn's four fixtures over the festive period, he returns ready to make an immediate impact."

    Baker, originally signed by former boss Michael O'Neill on loan from Chelsea in January 2022, is currently on a three-year deal with Stoke, which expires at the end of this season.