Stoke City's Eidur Gudjohnsen believes he is getting closer to full match fitness after he completed 90 minutes for the club in a reserve game.
The Icelandic international, who came off the bench for 15 minutes to make his debut against West Ham last weekend, played for the reserves in their 4-1 win over Walsall.It represented another chance for Gudjohnsen to prove his fitness and put himself in the frame for a starting place at Newcastle on Sunday.
'This was a big step for me today, getting through the 90 minutes,' he said.
'I felt much better than when I played for the first 45 minutes of the last reserve match and I believe that I am getting much, much closer now.' Gudjohnsen was expected to play a part in Stoke's Carling Cup third round tie against Fulham on Tuesday night but - although he warmed up ahead of a possible introduction - he was not one of the substitutes used in the end.
But the former Chelsea and Barcelona has pledged to make his mark at Stoke if he is given the chance at St James' Park.
'Once I am ready, I will play a big part in Stoke's season and give the fans something to shout about. The manager decided against risking me in the Carling Cup game so I would play this full game in the reserves and that was the right decision. I certainly felt much better for playing that full 90 minutes.'
Stoke City 2 Fulham 0: Potters are head boys as Higginbotham and Jones secure a place in fourth round PREMIER LEAGUE PODCAST: Tune in for the latest show STOKE CITY FC
Source: Daily Mail
Source: Daily Mail