Stoke City have revealed that midfielder Sam Clucas is fit and ready for first team action, if he's required.

The Potters face high-flying Nottingham Forest this weekend and their summer signing from Swansea is finally ready for some first team action, having yet to make his debut after sealing the summer switch.

The 28-year old played 29 Premier League games as the Swans slipped out of the top flight, but joined Gary Rowett's side in the summer for £6m as part of their push to regain top flight status.

He's now returned to fitness after undergoing knee surgery in May and the Stoke boss is confident he'll be ready for action, if needed.

“I think he’s ready,” Rowett told the club's official website. “He’s never going to be 100% match fit though because he hasn’t had that match exposure for us yet."

“We had the opportunity to play him in the U23s last Friday but didn’t because he was involved in the first team squad the following day. We had the chance again yesterday to involve him with the youngsters but he’ll be involved in the squad on Saturday."

Clucas has made his way through the divisions, playing for Hereford, Mansfield, Chesterfield and Hull City before joining Swansea. He started his career at Lincoln City, but was released by then manager Chris Sutton and had a spell at the Glenn Hoddle academy in Spain.

The Verdict

Clucas has plenty of experience of football at all levels and whilst he may not by the stylish, swashbuckling midfielder that some like to see, he's functional and focused.

When you're in a fight, which Stoke are, you need honest professionals ready to roll up their sleeves and fight. that typifies everything Clucas is about, so his return could be a big gain.