Stoke City

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Today is the final chance of the season for your Championship team to do transfer business.

The window closes at 19:00 GMT, meaning teams - and fans - can avoid the usual late-night transfer scramble.

It has already been a busy window - for some teams anyway - but whether it turns out to be a day of transfer action or a pretty quiet one for your club, you will be able to keep across it all on BBC Sport.

Follow our live text coverage throughout the day here

Mark Elliott
BBC Radio Stoke

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Stoke City, almost to a man, had one of those days against Southampton.

They lacked energy, aggression, intensity and accuracy in a performance that has to go down as an aberration.

This wasn't the Stoke City we know and that can at least partly be blamed on an injury crisis we're becoming all too familiar with.

Million Manhoef is the latest first team player to join the lengthy list of patients being treated by the club's medical staff and manager Mark Robins says none are expected back before next week's game at West Bromwich Albion.

His captain Ben Wilmot, himself just back to full fitness became the latest player to say with frustration that the situation is worse than anything he's experienced in his career.

But there's a real danger now that The Potters' season will be derailed by fitness issues to so many key players.

The gap between themselves and the play-offs is widening and the next three to four games may go a long way towards deciding whether or not they'll have too much to do by the time reinforcements arrive.

An addition or two before the transfer deadline and some positive results over the next few weeks will change that narrative but there is a palpable nervousness amongst the fanbase.

The next month could define Stoke's season.

Stoke City boss Mark Robins spoke to BBC Radio Stoke following their defeat by Southampton.

He believes Southampton did not have to do much in order to beat them and move to a place behind them in the Championship table.

"When you come up against a really technical team who are really well fancied, they were on their game today and we weren't," he said.

"We gave them a cheap first goal but when we got pinned back, we allowed them to do that. We have to learn from that.

"We came up against really good opponents that exploited some of our players playing out of position but we've got to be brave and show the determination that our supporters want us to show, to get into their faces and win tackles.

"They didn't have to do a great deal to win that game, they found it really easy and that was the most disappointing thing for us. [But] that is where we're at."

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Stoke City are moving in the right direction in terms of getting players available again, says boss Mark Robins.

The Potters have slipped to 10th in the Championship on the back of a three-game winless run, but Robins is seeing an improvement.

"We've got Ben Gibson and Ben Wilmot back [from injury], so we are in a better place," he told BBC Radio Stoke.

"We have the availability of Bosun Lawal [suspension] and [new signing] Milan Smit so they are four players who weren't available last week so it's moving in the right direction."

Twenty-two-year-old striker Smit arrived from Dutch side Go Ahead Eagles this week on loan until the end of the season.

"He showed a real hunger to join us," added Robins.

"Let's not forget he was playing European competition and scoring goals for Go Ahead Eagles so to be able to bring him in at this stage is pretty impressive.

"There are always things you can help with but he's been pretty good so far. He's new to the English game and it does catch you by surprise, especially in the Championship, but I'm pleased with what I've seen so far."

Stoke host Southampton in the Championship on Saturday (12:30 GMT).

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Stoke will seek to get back to winning ways as they welcome Southampton to the Bet365 Stadium on Saturday (12:30 GMT).

The Potters are winless in three games and four without a league victory at home to sit 10th, albeit only two points outside the top-six going into the weekend.

A Friday night win for Bristol City would however mean a play-off spot is beyond Mark Robins' men, even with a win.

Saints are five points back in 15th and will be seeking to end a six-game winless streak on the road during which they have earned just two points.

• Stoke have won their past two league games against Southampton (1-0 in April 2024 and 2-1 in August 2025), and could win three in a row against the Saints for the first time ever.

• Southampton could lose home and away against Stoke in a league campaign for the first time since the 1967/68 campaign, in the English top-flight.

• Stoke are winless in their past four Championship home games (D2 L2), and last went five in a row without a home victory on Boxing Day 2024 (5 – D3 L2).

• Southampton won their first two away league matches under Tonda Eckert (v QPR and Charlton), but have since failed to win any of their past six on the road (D2 L4).

• Sorba Thomas has been directly involved in 44% of Stoke's goals in the Championship this season (15/34 – 9 goals, 6 assists); the highest percentage by a player for any team in 2025/26.

Mark Elliott
BBC Radio Stoke

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All points are equal, but some points are more equal than others and this one felt extremely valuable.

An injury-hit squad lost Ben Wilmot before the visit to Birmingham City as Stoke City were only able to name two recognised first-team players on the bench.

One of those was Aaron Cresswell, returning from an injury of his own, and he had to share minutes at left-back with starter Eric Bocat, who has also been out and isn't yet ready to play a full game.

That left Ben Pearson and almost half an under-21 team on the bench to offer fresh legs, and a starting XI which included top scorer Sorba Thomas at right-back and another winger in Lamine Cisse up front.

Stoke looked tired in the midweek defeat by Middlesbrough and simply couldn't rotate nearly as much as Mark Robins would surely have liked because of the numbers out.

Having fallen behind to a poor goal, conceded from a set-piece in very un-Stoke fashion, it took immense character and resilience to force a draw against a Birmingham side with a very impressive home record.

That a credible case could be made to say Stoke were the better team overall is a testament to their collective response to the adversity they currently face.

Steven Nzonzi came into the side and was excellent, and at the other end of the football age scale, Favour Fawunmi came on for his first career league appearance and made a good contribution.

The draw keeps Stoke in touch with the top six and, with a week to go until their next game to get players fit and hopefully make an addition or two in the transfer window, some relief may be on the way.

Dutch striker Milan Smit was pictured with fans outside St Andrew's, so his arrival on loan will provide a much-needed option for a squad missing all four recognised strikers through injury.

If Stoke can pick up enough points in the short term to still be in the mix with 10 games to go and with a largely fit squad, they'll be a terrifying prospect for the other teams in the play-off picture.

Stoke City manager Mark Robins praised his players for battling back from a goal down at Birmingham despite having 11 players injured and defender Bosun Lawal suspended.

He told BBC Radio Stoke: "It was an important performance because we are [down to the] bare bones and everyone knows it and sees it, but the packed-out away end was phenomenal and backed us all the way.

"The players really appreciate that. I thought we were the better team in the first half and created some decent openings that we usually don't take anyway.

"We've got 12 players out and the majority of those are first-team starters, or have been, so to put in a performance like that was really pleasing.

"[Birmingham] have been good at home this year and we gave as good as we got, could have taken some chances, and had chances to create shooting opportunities which we turned down - that's the only criticism, I want them to shoot, have a go.

"We conceded a really poor goal, but the response was emphatic, a brilliant delivery from Cressy."

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A new initiative highlighting the work of football club charities has been launched by the English Football League (EFL).

'Scan to Smile' will be rolled out in stadiums across the EFL from Friday until the end of January, with supporters invited to scan QR codes on posters displayed around grounds.

Each scan will unlock a short, uplifting story from a person whose life has been positively impacted by the support of their local club charity.

The subjects tackled include mental health support, combating loneliness, improving physical wellbeing, employability and confidence.

The EFL said it hoped the initiative would use "the reach and influence of football to offer fans a moment of positivity on matchday".

Trevor Birch, chief executive at the EFL, said: "Behind every club are people whose lives have been positively changed through the work and dedication of their local EFL club charity.

"This initiative gives supporters the chance to see that impact first-hand and reminds us that football truly is a force for good."

Victory for Stoke City at Birmingham City could be enough to take them back into the top six on Saturday, depending on results elsewhere.

But, such is the competitive nature of the Championship, a win for Blues would move them level on points with their opponents and reignite their hopes of gatecrashing the play-off race.

• Birmingham have lost just one of their past 15 home league games against Stoke City (W9 D5), though that sole defeat came in the two sides' last meeting at St Andrews in December 2023.

• After winning the reverse fixture 1-0 back in September, Stoke City will be looking to claim a first league double over Birmingham City since the 1988-89 season.

• Birmingham have won two of their past three league games (D1), after winning just one of their previous nine (D4 L4).

• Stoke have won each of their past two away league games, keeping a clean sheet in each. The Potters have not won three in succession since December 2005 (4) and have not done so without conceding since November 1975.

• Birmingham have scored in each of their past 14 home league games, last enjoying a longer scoring run at St Andrews between April 1969 and January 1970 (15 games).

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Stoke City's nightmare injury situation cannot be used as an excuse for disappointing results says winger Sorba Thomas.

A severely-depleted Potters were beaten 2-1 by Middlesbrough at the bet365 Stadium on Wednesday and missed the chance to climb into the play-off places.

"The intensity was there in the first half but it felt it went flat," Thomas told BBC Radio Stoke.

"I don't know whether that was down to fatigue or people not doing their job but it's a learning curve.

"We're down to the bare bones but that can't always be the excuse."

Stoke boss Mark Robins is trying to juggle his side's promotion push with getting his injured players back as soon as possible.

Recent signing, goalkeeper Gavin Bazunu, who missed the Boro game with a thigh problem, is the latest name added to an injury list that contains both recognised left-backs, five strikers, the club's most prolific midfielder and starting right-back.

On the plus side, Eric Bocat is fit enough for the bench while Aaron Cresswell is also back in the squad and midfielder Lewis Baker is understood to be close to joining them.

"You have to deal with what's in front of you. We haven't got time to complain," Thomas added.

"Games in the Championship come thick and fast and if we want to get to where we want to get to - that top six, minimum - we can't sit around and complain.

"For me it's about getting on the pitch and dealing with what's there and try to play to people's strengths.

"The Championship is ruthelss. Every team needs that squad depth.

"At the minute ours is on the physio's bed. But we can keep using that as exuses and crying about injuries - a lot of teams deal with injuries.

"It's just for the boys on the pitch to pull their fingers out and create a bit of magic - myself included."

Mark Elliott
BBC Radio Stoke’s Stoke City commentator

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Stoke lost to Middlesborough because their injury-ravaged side ran out of steam against a team good enough to capitalise.

They played well in the first half, repeatedly causing Boro problems with a well-coordinated press and deservedly led at the break through a first goal in red and white for Tomas Rigo that marks an important step in his acclimatisation to English football.

But missing both recognised left-backs, five strikers, their most prolific midfielder, first-choice goalkeeper and starting right-back, they could not maintain the intensity after the break.

As a unit, they looked exhausted despite showing plenty of fight.

That they have also now lost the man brought in to deputise between the posts for Viktor Johansson after only one game due to injury leaves the impression that the football gods might well be trolling Stoke City.

Gavin Bazunu will be out for six weeks after picking up an injury in training and Bosun Lawal, sent off in the second half, will also miss time through suspension.

They say "it never rains but it pours" - but in this case replace "pours" with "becomes a category five hurricane".

Hope may be on the horizon in the form of the return of the aforementioned left-backs with Eric Bocat again featuring off the bench and Aaron Cresswell back in the squad.

Lewis Baker is also said to be close to a return in midfield and Stoke look set to make at least one more addition to their attack during this transfer window but those reinforcements cannot come soon enough.

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Stoke City goalkeeper Gavin Bazunu is facing a spell on the sidelines after making just one appearance for the club.

The Republic of Ireland international kept a clean sheet on his debut in the 0-0 draw with QPR last weekend after signing on loan from Southampton but missed the defeat to Middlesbrough with a thigh injury.

Stoke manager Mark Robins told BBC Stoke & Staffordshire: "The players are giving everything they can, they are running on fumes. Whatever can go wrong is going wrong.

"We've got to keep giving everything until we can get some bodies back. I cannot believe how people are going down with the injuries they are. It is biting us on the backside.

"Gavin Bazunu will be out for six weeks or so. We are paper thin."

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All English Football League games across a four-day period in February will begin one minute late to raise awareness for the Every Minute Matters campaign.

The initiative will be in place for 36 matches across the Championship, League One and League Two between 5 and 9 February.

EFL sponsor Sky Bet and the British Heart Foundation (BHF) have been working together since May 2024 to highlight the importance of speed when it comes to performing live-saving CPR.

Later kick-off times will serve as "a stark reminder that every minute matters", the EFL said.

Bristol Rovers defender Tom Lockyer collapsed while playing for Luton Town eight minutes into the Championship play-off final against Coventry in May 2023.

Lockyer then suffered a cardiac arrest on the pitch seven months later during a Premier League game at Bournemouth.

"What happened to me can happen to anyone, anywhere, at any time," said Lockyer, who is now a BHF ambassador.

"Every year, more than 40,000 people in the UK suffer an out-of-hospital cardiac arrest and most of them never make it home.

"I'm here today because of the transformative power of CPR as every minute matters when it comes to saving a life.

"This February, we want everyone to get behind this life-saving initiative, learn the skills and be ready to step in because your actions could give someone else the chance I was given."

Throughout February, the Every Minute Matters campaign will call on fans to learn CPR using the BHF's online RevivR, external tool.

"Each minute without CPR reduces a person's chance of survival, so we're urging fans to learn the skills now, before you ever need them," said Dr Charmaine Griffiths, chief executive of the BHF.

EFL chief executive officer Trevor Birch added: "The one minute kick-off adjustment is a simple, powerful reminder that swift CPR can be the difference between life and death."

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Stoke City have agreed a 5.5 euro (£4.8m) fee for Go Ahead Eagles striker Milan Smit. The Dutch forward will sign a three-and-a-half-year deal once he completes a medical this week. (ESPN NL - in Dutch), external

Read all the latest EFL transfer rumours in Wednesday's gossip column here.

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New Stoke City goalkeeper Gavin Bazunu says he is looking forward to a "fresh start" after signing on loan from Championship rivals Southampton for the rest of the season.

The Republic of Ireland international kept a clean sheet on his debut in the 0-0 draw with QPR on Saturday, replacing Tommy Simkin who had deputised for the injured Viktor Johansson assuredly - keeping clean sheets in each of the three games he played in.

With Johansson and Simkin providing strong competition for a place in goal, Bazunu explained his reasons in moving to the Bet365 Stadium midway through the season.

"I feel like the biggest thing for me was wanting a fresh start – somewhere where I was able to start from the bottom and really go again," he told BBC Radio Stoke.

"I can see that it's a brilliant group to be a part of, so I'm very happy with the decision that I've made to come here, and I'm excited to see what things can hold this season."

On making his Stoke debut, Bazunu added: "It was a good game for me to come into. I didn't have too much to do and the lads in front of me were really solid so it was a nice introduction for me."

Stoke currently sit seventh, two points outside the play-off spots.

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Stoke City and Middlesbrough will seek to answer back to their promotion rivals when they play the final match of the round on Wednesday (20:00 GMT).

Depending how Coventry and Ipswich fare the previous night, Boro could be as many as nine points off the top and down to third by the time they kick-off at the Bet365, seeking a third straight win after scoring seven across their past two victories.

The Potters have kept five clean sheets in their past six games but are seeking a first win in four at home, but a defeat could see them drop out of the top-10, depending on results elsewhere.

• Stoke have only enjoyed three wins in their past 15 league meetings with Middlesbrough (D5 L7), winning none of their last three against Boro (D1 L2).

• After their 3-1 win last season, Middlesbrough could win on back-to-back league visits to Stoke for only the second time in their history, previously doing so in March 1956.

• Stoke have won each of their past five home league matches played on a Wednesday, their best winning streak on this day of the week since December 1996 (6).

• Middlesbrough have only lost two of their past 13 away league matches on a Wednesday (W8 D3), defeats at Preston in February 2024 (1-2) and Sheffield United in February 2025 (1-3).

• Mark Robins has won six of his nine previous Championship home games against Middlesbrough as a manager (D1 L2), although did lose his only one as Stoke boss last season (1-3).