Ryan Mmaee will miss the rest of the season for Stoke City after picking up a hamstring injury on his return to the starting XI.
The 26-year-old striker has worked his way back into the first team fold at Stoke over the last few weeks and was handed his first home start since January on Saturday, a 2-2 draw with West Bromwich Albion. He impressed with his link up play in a game when Stoke did well to create chances – but limped off in the second half.
Scans have now shown the extent of the damage and he is set for an extended spell in the treatment room, missing the final five matches of the season as Stoke search for the final few points to secure their Championship status. Ben Pearson and Lynden Gooch are also expected to miss at least most of the rest of term with hamstring injuries too.
Steven Schumacher said in his pre-match press conference ahead of a game at Swansea on Wednesday night: “Ryan Mmaee came off with a hamstring problem (on Saturday) and he’s not going to be available. His scan result wasn’t great and that will be him until next season now. That’s a disappointment because I was pleased for Ryan. It hasn’t been easy since we came in to the club in December. He got himself back involved in the team, in the squad, looked sharp, but unfortunately he’s picked up a niggle and it’s going to rule him out. That’s a bit of a blow.
“The other two we had issues with (late on Saturday), Jordan Thompson and Million Manhoef, are fine. It was just a bit of tiredness with both of them but they’re fine, they trained yesterday.”
He added: “Ryan’s a good player, we’ve never doubted that. He’s a type of striker which is different to what else we’ve got. He’s good in the build up, really strong and physical. He could score more goals. I’m sure he will have wanted to score more goals this season and take up more advanced positions at times but he was doing well, coming back into the team, he looked sharp, nice and fit but unfortunately he’s picked up an injury so it will give an opoortunity to someone else.
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