Sam Clucas is back in contention for Stoke City and 'ready for action' if called upon, according to manager Gary Rowett.

The midfielder joined the Potters for £6m in the summer, but hasn't appeared as yet after having surgery in May. He's now ready to return and was involved in the matchday squad last week, but could well make an appearance tomorrow against Nottingham Forest.

The 28-year-old has climbed the divisions following his release by Lincoln City as a youngster, using a spell at Glenn Hoddle's Spanish academy as a springboard to success. He went from Hereford to Mansfield, then to Chesterfield before moving to Hull City, with whom he tasted Premier League football.

Swansea took him from the KCOM Stadium to South Wales and he made 29 appearances for them last season.

Any player coming back from injury is a boost, but is this the advantage it seems to be for Stoke, given the players available to them already?

Our Football League experts discuss Clucas' return to action...

Alfie Burns

His availability is a big boost for Rowett, who parted with a lot of money to get the midfielder on board.

Whether he’s what Stoke have been missing remains to be seen, but this is definitely a positive ahead of a hectic period the other side of the international break.

Louie Chandler

It is certainly helpful.

Clucas offers something different for Stoke in attack, but it is hard to gauge just how big a boost it is.

It is possible that he has completely lost his edge during his spell on the sidelines.

Gary Hutchinson

I'm not so sure. Obviously a player coming back is a good thing, but is he what Stoke need?

They might have preferred a £6m centre-half or forward coming back, considering their midfield at the moment.

They're heavy in midfield, but need recruitments elsewhere.

Isn't hindsight a wonderful thing?