Alex Morris will stay up with Stoke City’s first team coaching staff for good after playing an important role in the strong finish to last season.

Morris, a lifelong Stoke supporter and Crewe Alexandra coaching stalwart, moved to Clayton Wood from Gresty Road last summer to take on what was described as a hybrid role between the academy and senior squad.

He passed on his duties in charge of the under-21s to Ryan Shawcross during the final international break of the season so he could focus on helping Steven Schumacher keep Stoke in the Championship. The 41-year-old would share the credit but Stoke won three, drew three and lost one of the final seven games after that switch and Schumacher was keen to keep him onboard.

Chris Cohen has also joined Mark Hughes and Peter Cavanagh in the backroom team while Paul Gallagher has left after one season back at the club.

Schumacher said: “Our coaching set-up is complete now, there won’t be any more additions. I think we’ve got a really good blend. Hughesy and Cav will continue in the roles they have been doing and Alex Morris is going to stay with us in the first team because I spoke about how important he was especially towards the end of last season.

“We’ve got four really good grass coaches alongside myself who takes care of the game planning and the preparation towards the end of the week.