Stoke in mixed emotions over Etebo

Paul Hart says the Club wish Oghenekaro Etebo nothing but luck as the Potters midfielder prepares to undertake an Africa Cup of Nations Semi-Final this weekend.

The dynamic midfielder has yet to link-up with his Stoke City teammates for pre-season training due to Nigeria’s success out in Egypt, which has seen them advance to the semi-finals of the showpiece event.

Assistant boss Hart admits Nathan Jones would love to have the 23-year-old back at base, preparing for the new campaign, but acknowledges that whilst he is away representing his country, everybody in the camp will be willing him on to succeed.

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“It’s a double-edged sword really, because we are incredibly proud of him and what he is achieving, but it would be great to have him back,” Hart said out in the Netherlands this week.

“These are some of the challenges that you have in football though – you just have to deal with it, which is what we will do.”

“We are so pleased for Peter though, he is a great lad and he will be back as soon as he possibly can.”

He added: “We will most definitely be looking after him and managing him correctly when it is he does come back.”

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Etebo starred for the Super Eagles in their last eight triumph over South Africa on Wednesday, and is once again expected to start when they take on Algeria, bidding for a spot in the final on Sunday afternoon.