Speaking to the Stoke Sentinel, Stoke City manager Gary Rowett has informed club supporters that forgotten man Ibrahim Afellay is still continuing his rehabilitation from serious injury. The ex-Barcelona man is back in Spain receiving treatment, having been granted permission by the club to do so.
However, Rowett admits that there has virtually been no contact between player and club since then. He is out of contract at the bet365 Stadium at the end of this current campaign. He will indeed be moving on afterwards, unless a dramatic turn of events leads to him winning an extension. His last competitive appearance in a Stoke shirt came in December 2017.
He did feature in pre-season ahead of the current campaign when scoring against Walsall. Rowett was then prepared to give the player a chance to prove himself. Since then, he suffered an injury and is now back in Spain. The former Derby County boss did keep the channel open for him returning and proving himself again,
“He’s a long way from playing and he’s in the last year of his contract as well, having had some serious injuries.
“He had a serious injury that the club medical team and Ibi felt would be better to get treatment from people who have treated him before.
“The reality is, he hasn’t been around the club since his injury and there hasn’t been too much contact either.”
The former Dutch international has been on the books with the club since 2015. Last season, then boss Paul Lambert froze the player out after questioning his attitude.
