GLENN WHELAN will be forced to sit out the final game of Stoke City’s pre-season tour of the United States when they face Sporting Kansas City on Wednesday evening.
City have received notification that the Republic of Ireland international will serve a one-match suspension following his sending off in Saturday’s victory over Orlando City.
The 28-year-old midfielder received two yellow cards in quick succession after a flashpoint midway through the second half following his foul on Orlando’s Rodrigo Lopez.
Manager Tony Pulis had been hoping that because the game was a pre-season friendly, Whelan would escape further punishment and be available for the Kansas City game.
However, he has been boosted by the return to training on Tuesday of a number of players who have been carrying slight injuries including Rory Delap and Cameron Jerome.
The squad continue to put strong emphasis on their fitness work in the hot conditions as they prepare to take on a Kansas City side currently second in the Eastern Conference.