Stoke City Coach Says Mikel Needs More Minutes After Injury Lay-Off

Chelsea legend John Obi Mikel is among the players Stoke City coach Michael O'Neill is planning to give more minutes, starting from tomorrow's FA Cup third round clash with Leicester City.

The former Nigeria skipper has returned from an injury that kept him sidelined for around one month, and was involved in the Potters' last two league games against Nottingham Forest and Bournemouth.

In total, Mikel was not available for selection in eight matches, including the Carabao Cup quarterfinal loss to Tottenham Hotspur.

"The players that need minutes for us are the most experienced players, the likes of John Obi, Sam Clucas, Joe Allen, Ryan Shawcross, Danny Batth, these are all players that have been out of the team in recent times or are coming back from injury," O'Neill told Stoke City's official webpage.

"I don’t think if we do shuffle the pack we’ll necessarily be any weaker and if anything, we’ll be more experienced if we decide to go that way."

Mikel faced Leicester City twice during his Chelsea days and won both games.

Igho Kingsley