http://www.thisisstaffordshire.co.uk/story-13829184-detail/story.html STOKE'S £6m midfield star Wilson Palacios is hoping his injury woes are behind him after putting himself in the frame for City's return to Premier League action against QPR next Saturday. The 27-year-old Honduras international has been kept largely under wraps since he was snapped up from Tottenham on the August 31 transfer deadline day. Palacios was still getting over a knee injury when he arrived at the Britannia Stadium. As a result, City have limited him to just four starts in European or Carling Cup action â and only 38 minutes in the Premier League. However, the midfielder came through 90 minutes for the reserves on Wednesday and is eager to help Stoke bounce back from last week's 5-0 hammering at Bolton. Palacios said: "Every day I have trained, my knee has been getting better and it is much better now. "Hopefully I can play next week because being out has been very difficult for me. "It was very nice to get through the whole game for the reserves with no problems. "Stoke have played well this season to get to 12 points, but after what happened at Bolton we have to make a strong recovery in our next game." City's director of football, John Rudge, pictured right, said the club were always confident Palacios would get over his knee problem. However, he says they have been determined not to rush him into action. Rudge explained: "When we bought Wilson he had a little problem with his knee. We knew about that so knew he had to work on it and get up to speed. "Also, he has had to get his fitness levels up because he missed pre-season. Every player who misses pre-season finds it a little bit difficult to get over that. "But Wilson is making good progress. He is playing games and working hard, so we are hoping he can get himself in contention and be fit enough for the team when the manager decides he is ready. "There is plenty of time to come. We have to get him really fit so he can produce what we know he can do." Palacios was signed to compete with Dean Whitehead, Glenn Whelan and Rory Delap for a place in the centre of Stoke's midfield. Spurs paid £12m to sign the Honduran from Wigan in January 2009, but City landed him as part of the £16m double deal which also included striker Peter Crouch. Meanwhile, Ricardo Fuller has stepped up his recovery from injury this week by joining in with training. City's management are mulling over whether to give the striker a run out in Tuesday's reserve game at home to Port Vale. The 32-year-old is making steady progress after rupturing his Achilles tendon at Villa Park in April.
So Mr Rudge WE paid HOW much knowing that he was injured.. WHY has it taken a 1/4 of the SEASON to say something... Stop talking and START giving the guy a FULL game.
Smithers I think? that after last weeks disgrace of a perormance.. some one, somewhere has had a word with Tony Pulis, Re Palacios. We don't hear in public or interviews Rudgie comment too often and I'm very confident that bar an injury in training this week. CROSS EVERYTHING.. Palacios will start next week v Q.P.R. I honestly do not believe it was that bad an injury, if at all it was.. He lost his Brother which is totally different. Would love to know the real situation but, I guess we'll never know. Here's hoping we're both right and he plays.
If any one has had to have a word with him about player changes or playing order then surely as a manager he has failed in his responsibilty as the decession maker? Anyway lets wait and see what happens over the nex few games.
