Jack Butland is on track to return to Stoke’s first-team training in the next fortnight after resuming sessions with goalkeeping coach Andy Quy.
The England international has been out of action since injuring his ankle playing against Germany in March, fracturing bone and damaging ligaments.
Butland underwent surgery but his recovery was hampered by a set-back in September and only now is he approaching the end of his time on the sidelines.
Manager Mark Hughes said: 'He’s doing really well.