Stoke boss Pelach welcomes back Gooch

Lynden Gooch joined Stoke from Sunderland in September 2023

Stoke City boss Narcis Pelach has welcomed the return of Lynden Gooch to his squad.

The USA international defender was an unused substitute in their 2-0 defeat by Burnley on Saturday having been sidelined for nearly two months because of a medial ligament injury.

"It's good to have another player recover and it's the first time I've seen him training as since I've been here he's been injured," Pelach told BBC Radio Stoke.

"I'm pleased to have him back and it's good to have another option."

Pelach is also hopeful of having Sam Gallagher and Bosun Lawal available sooner rather than later.

Defender Lawal has failed to make a single first team appearance since signing from Celtic in August after a medical revealed he had a stress fracture in his back.

Meanwhile, forward Gallagher has played only three Championship games after signing from Blackburn Rovers in August before picking-up a calf injury against Swansea in early October.

"Sam and Bosun are getting close - they're going to do some training with the team but not full training, it will be modified and hopefully we'll have them soon," added Pelach.