By DAN KARELL
In a different year, Stoke City winger Brek Shea may have been content to be patient and fight his way into a first team place. However, with the World Cup right around the corner, Shea doesn’t have time to spare.
According to a report with The Sentinel in Stoke, Shea has gone on the record saying that he hopes for a solution to his playing time issue sooner rather than later. Shea admitted that he was set to go to Derby County on loan but the move was scuppered after manager Nigel Clough was sacked by the Derby board.
“Birds were chirping. There was word, but obviously (Clough) got sacked,” Shea told The Sentinel. “I’ve got to get playing, whether here or on loan somewhere. It’s up to the gaffer and hopefully he tells me something soon.”
The 23-year-old Texan declared that he is fit and healthy after suffering a number of injuries for club and country since he joined Stoke City last January.
“My body feels good and my mind feels good,” Shea said. “A few weeks ago I was struggling because I was frustrated, but I feel better now.”
Since scoring the game-winning-goal for the U.S. Men’s National Team in the Gold Cup final against Panama, Shea has played just one official match for Stoke, a 3-1 victory in the League Cup against Walsall. In Shea’s last match for the Stoke reserves, he scored a goal in the first half playing alongside American teammate Maurice Edu but Shea was sent off in stoppage-time and was given a three-match ban for his actions, reportedly “kicking out” at an opponent off the ball.
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What do you think of this report? Do you agree that Shea should move on loan to a Championship side? Do you believe he’ll make the World Cup squad? Do you see Maurice Edu leaving on loan as well?
Share your thoughts below.