Stoke City manager Michael O’Neill said John Obi Mikel’s fitness level will determine if he will be involved in League Cup first round outing against Blackpool on Saturday.
The former Super Eagles captain, who joined the Potters on a free transfer on August 17, scored his first goal for the Championship club on Tuesday during a pre-season friendly match against League One side Shrewsbury Town.
Mikel marked his first start for Stoke City with a goal and was on parade for 45 minutes before he was replaced at the break.
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Ahead of Saturday’s match at the bet365 Stadium, O’Neill revealed that Mikel is still working on his fitness, having not played a competitive game since March, when he competed in the Turkish Super Lig with Trabzonspor.