Mikel Obi Remains Doubtful For Stoke City’s Boxing Day Fixture

Stoke City of England midfielder, John Mikel Obi is still in doubt to make a return from injury in order to be part of The Potters’ Boxing Day fixture, BSNSports.com.ng reports. This much has been revealed by Stoke’s coach, Michael O’Neill, while confirming that Mikel will not be available for Wednesday’s Carabao Cup quarter-final clash with Tottenham Hotspur. Mikel has not figured for The Potters in their last six English Championship fixtures, due to fitness issues and, though the 33-year-old star started the club’s first 14 games of the season, he will not get the opportunity of repeating the heroics he offered in Stoke’s 1-0 win over Aston Villa in the fourth round. It was earlier thought the former Super Eagles captain and ex-Chelsea ace was nearing a return to match fitness levels, but O’Neill has now confirmed a new setback in the star’s recovery from the injury that has kept him on the sidelines since November 28. O’Neill said: “John won’t be fit in time for the game. It was a game he was very keen to be involved in but he had a little set back on Friday and we’ve just got to manage him over this week for the game on Saturday to see if he’s ready for that.”