Stoke City team news vs Portsmouth as Viktor Johansson comes into contention

The Sweden goalkeeper and Stoke player of last season has been out of action since fracturing a shoulder in late December. He has been pushing hard to get back fit before the end of term, particularly because Sweden have qualified for the World Cup.

He joined back in full training for the first time on Thursday and is hoping to prove to medical staff and Mark Robins that he is ok to play against Portsmouth on Saturday (3pm), the final home match of the campaign.

Robins said: “That has to come from both what I think but also what medical and Viktor think. He’s got a bit to do in terms of training. He only trained yesterday with the team for the first time so I want to see how he is again today.

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“Viktor probably would have played four or five weeks ago if you’d have left it to him but it’s about making sure he’s ready. You don’t want him to come back then breakdown or not be quite ready.

“He’ll have his own thoughts and views on things but I want to see what he’s like today because I’ve only seen briefly yesterday.”

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