JOE ALLEN is unlikely to be fit for Stoke’s relegation fight in the Championship.
The EFL announced late on Sunday night that English football’s second tier plans to resume the season on June 20.
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Allen ruptured his Achilles in Stoke’s 5-1 win over Hull in March and, although his progress has been positive since his operation, the midfielder is not expected to be available for the Potters’ final nine league games.
The 30-year-old Welshman, who would have missed Euro 2020 this summer but has been boosted by the fact the tournament has been delayed by 12 months, has his sights on a return for next season.
Stoke boss Michael O’Neill said: “Joe is walking, which is good. On the first day I saw him he was walking with the aid of crutches and now he’s walking without crutches.
“It’s a slow process for Joe, really. It’s just getting moving again.
“He’s been in a boot for a long time, which means muscle wastage which builds up over time but it’s nice to see him again at the training ground.”
O’Neill’s Stoke lie in 17th place but are only three points above Charlton, who occupy the final spot in the drop zone.
