Stoke City crashed out of the League Cup last night at the hands of Nottingham Forest, heaping pressure on to manager Gary Rowett.

The Potters trailed 3-0 at one point, battling back to 3-2 as they did on Saturday against Blackburn, but failing to find the late winner. Once again, Saido Berahino scored but then missed a late chance to equalise.

Rowett handed a rare start to Charlie Adam, the 32-year old who has previously been frozen out under the former Derby manager. His only previous first team football was a five minute cameo at the end of their second round win against Premier League Huddersfield in August.

After turning out for the Under 21 side in the EFL Trophy he looked to be on the fringes, but his performance was one of a couple that Rowett praised after the game.

“I thought there was some really good performances. I tell you who I thought was good was Charlie Adam," he told the Stoke Sentinel. “For someone who hasn’t been close to the team, he’s worked incredibly hard and maintained his professionalism. He showed really fight and quality and hasn’t done himself any harm.”

The Scottish midfielder joined Stoke from Liverpool in 2012 for a fee thought to be around £4m and has since made 166 senior appearances for the Potters.

The Verdict

His performance won't have done him any harm at all. At 32-years old he's still got the ability to play in the Championship and Stoke need fighters right now. If there's one thing he does, it is fight.

He would solidify the midfield alongside Joe Allen and maybe that is what is required to haul his side up the table.