Stoke City manager Gary Rowett has admitted that signing Sam Clucas in the summer was a calculated risk, according to a report from Stoke Live.

The 28-year old hasn't been involved yet this season for the Potters as they've struggled to adapt to life in the Championship, and Rowett has admitted he took a risk when signing the former Swansea man, even if he has no regrets over doing so.

“We knew there was a risk in terms of signing him and not being able to play him straight away,” Rowett said. “We hoped it would have been a little bit quicker than so far. He’s someone we really want to get back out there and give him that opportunity to show everybody what he’s about."

Clucas performed well in patches for Swansea, but few lamented his departure in the summer for £6m. His move to the bet365 Stadium has been nothing short of a disaster, with little end in sight for him and his injury hell.

Still, Rowett is adamant that the former Hull City man was a good signing and will prove to be an asset for his side.

"You can see Sam around the building and frustrated because of that, but he’s had to accept it and hopefully we can get him on the pitch and I know it’s a cliché, but he will be like a new player coming into the team and I think he will have a big impact. I am looking forward to seeing him. He’s a player I’ve liked for a long time and was really pleased to sign him.”

Clucas began life at Lincoln City, but excelled following a spell at the Glenn Hoddle academy in Spain. he later played for Hereford, Mansfield and Chesterfield before making his big money moves through to the Premier League.

The Verdict

Deep down, there has to be some regret. £6m is a lot of money and with Joe Allen, Ryan Woods and Charlie Adam in the midfield, as well as Peter Etebo and Darren Fletcher, surely the money could have been better spent elsewhere.

Clucas is going to be playing catch up as a soon as he gets fit and the way things are going, that could be too late for Stoke's ambition of a quick top flight return.