Stoke City made it seven games unbeaten in the Championship yesterday as they laboured to a 0-0 draw with relegation-haunted Reading.

They've won just one of those seven fixtures and drawing with the Royals merely gave them another point as they stumble to mid table mediocrity in the Championship.

They're 11 points clear of the bottom three and in little danger of the drop, but have endured a disappointing season.

Midfielder Thibaud Verlinden made his full debut for the club yesterday, a bright feature of an otherwise dull afternoon. He joined the Potters from Standard Liege as a youth, but hasn't managed to break through into the first team.

After impressing in a loan spell with St Pauli, he made his full debut at the bet365 Stadium yesterday and earned a Man of the Match award in the process.

He took to Twitter after the game to express his delight, saying: "Happy to get my first league start and to get man of the match . Disappointed to not get the 3 points ! Thanks to all the fans!"

The home supporters were delighted to see the 19-year-old in the side, responding with lots of positive messages.