2022–23 Stoke City F.C. season

Stoke City 2022–23 football season From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The 2022–23 season was Stoke City's 106th season in the Football League, and the 46th in the second tier.[3]

Joint-ChairmanJohn Coates and Peter Coates
ManagerMichael O'Neill
(until 25 August)[1]
Dean Holden (interim)
(until 27 August)
Alex Neil
(from 28 August)[2]
Quick facts season, Joint-Chairman ...
Stoke City
2022–23 season
Joint-ChairmanJohn Coates and Peter Coates
ManagerMichael O'Neill
(until 25 August)[1]
Dean Holden (interim)
(until 27 August)
Alex Neil
(from 28 August)[2]
Stadiumbet365 Stadium
Championship16th
FA CupFifth round
EFL CupFirst round
Top goalscorerLeague:
Tyrese Campbell (9)

All:
Jacob Brown
Tyrese Campbell
(9 each)
Highest home attendance23,970 v Hull City
(11 February 2023)
Lowest home attendance17,427 v Blackburn Rovers
(10 March 2023)
Close

In the summer of 2022, Stoke, restricted by Financial Fair Play brought in free transfers and loans. After a poor start one win in the opening five matches Michael O'Neill was sacked by the board and replaced by Sunderland manager Alex Neil. After beating Preston North End on 15 October, Stoke went on a run of three wins in 15 which saw them in danger of being involved in a relegation fight. High scoring victories over Blackburn Rovers, Coventry, Huddersfield Town, Reading, Sunderland and Swansea City pulled Stoke clear of trouble and into mid-table. Stoke's home form during the season was one the worst in the league with 12 defeats, 10 of which were by a single goal margin.

Pre-season and friendlies

In February 2022 Stoke announced a five-year multi-million pound refurbishment programme for the bet365 Stadium and the Clayton Wood Training Ground beginning in the summer of 2022 with the replacement of 8,400 seats in the Franklyn Stand and regeneration of The Players' Lounge and Delilah’s Bar.[4][5][6] Leaving the club in the transfer window were Benik Afobe, Joe Allen, James Chester, Alfie Doughty, Steven Fletcher, Tom Ince, Christian Norton, Tashan Oakley-Boothe, Tommy Smith and Mario Vrančić. Whilst coming into the team were Harry Clarke, Aden Flint, Dwight Gayle, Gavin Kilkenny, Josh Laurent, Liam McCarron and Will Smallbone.[7]

The squad returned to Clayton Wood for pre-season training on 20 June and played a behind closed doors match against Leeds United on 2 July, they then spent a week at a training camp in Cork, Ireland.[8] On 9 July Stoke beat League of Ireland First Division side Cork City 2–0 at Turners Cross.[9] City then faced three League One teams, losing 2–0 to Accrington Stanley and Bristol Rovers whilst drawing 1–1 with Fleetwood Town.[10][11][12] Stoke ended an unimpressive pre-season with a 2–1 defeat at Heart of Midlothian.[13]

More information Date, Opponent ...
DateOpponentVenueResultScorersReport
9 July 2022Cork CityA2–0Wright-Phillips 21', Brown 86'Report
13 July 2022Accrington StanleyA0–2Report
16 July 2022Fleetwood TownH1–1Campbell 36'Report
19 July 2022Bristol RoversA0–2Report
23 July 2022Heart of MidlothianA1–2Campbell 90'Report
2 December 2022Nottingham ForestN2–1Cook 65' (o.g.), Campbell 77'Report
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Championship

July & August

Stoke lost their opening game 2–0 away at Millwall with both of the Lions' goals coming from unmarked Charlie Cresswell headers.[14][15] The first home game of the season was won 2–0 against Blackpool with goals from Harry Clarke and Jacob Brown.[16] After exiting the EFL Cup, City suffered a 3–1 defeat at Huddersfield Town with Lewis Baker missing a first half penalty.[17] City were second-best against Middlesbrough and looked to be heading for a 2–1 defeat before a late header from D'Margio Wright-Phillips earned Stoke a fortunate 2–2 draw.[18] Stoke's poor start to the season continued as they lost 1–0 at home to newly promoted Sunderland on 20 August.[19] O'Neill was then sacked by the club four days later.[20] The next day Stoke were given permission by Sunderland to speak to Alex Neil.[21] Dean Holden took caretaker charge of the match against Blackburn Rovers as a long range goal from Baker earned Stoke their first away win of the season.[22] On 28 August Alex Neil was appointed manager on a three-year contract.[23] Neil's first match in charge was at home against Swansea City. Swansea took and early lead through Joël Piroe and after wasteful finishing Stoke finally equalised in stoppage time through Tyrese Campbell.[24]

September

On transfer deadline day Stoke brought in right-back Dujon Sterling on a season-long loan from Chelsea.[25] Stoke lost 2–1 at Reading with both the Royals goals coming from defensive errors.[26] After the match Neil was critical of his sides lack of fitness.[27] The team responded with a comfortable 3–0 victory at Hull City with a brace from Baker.[28] They ended September with a goalless draw away at Queens Park Rangers.[29]

October

After the international break Stoke were out-played by Watford, losing 4–0, their heaviest home defeat for five years.[30] Three-days later a late header from Harry Clarke earned Stoke a 1–1 draw away at Burnley.[31] Stoke then beat the early league leaders, Sheffield United 3–1 with goals from Wilmot, Phil Jagielka and a first professional league goal from Liam Delap.[32] City put in a commanding away performance at Preston North End, winning 2–0 with goals from Campbell and Will Smallbone.[33] They then lost 1–0 at home against Rotherham United despite having 29 shots at goal.[34] Stoke lost to Coventry in a similar manner, controlling possession but failing to create any meaningful chances and were hit twice on the counter-attack.[35][36] They ended October with a third straight defeat, going down 3–1 at Norwich.[37]

November

Stoke beat Wigan Athletic 1–0 on 2 November, with a goal from Josh Tymon on his return from Injury.[38] They then lost a third straight home match 2–1 against Birmingham.[39] Three days later they ended that run with a 2–0 victory against Luton Town with early goals from Powell and an own goal from Tom Lockyer, The game also marked Harry Souttar's return from injury after a year out.[40] Stoke put in a poor performance against West Brom, losing 2–0 before the season took a four week break due to the 2022 FIFA World Cup.[41]

December

During the break Stoke went on a warm weather training camp in Dubai and played a friendly against Nottingham Forest at Loughborough University, winning 2–1.[42] Stoke returned to Championship football on 10 December with a home match against Cardiff City. Ryan Wintle scored early on for the Bluebirds but two quick goals from Campbell and Delap put Stoke into a 2–1 lead but a late goal from Callum Robinson earned Cardiff a point.[43] The following week Stoke came from behind to beat Bristol City 2–1 at Ashton Gate.[44] On Boxing Day, Stoke came from behind twice to draw 2–2 with Rotherham United.[45] Stoke ended 2022 with a home defeat against league leaders Burnley, Josh Cullen scoring the only goal.[46]

January

Stoke began 2023 with a home clash against Preston North End. Ched Evans scored the only goal of a poor quality game in second half injury time.[47] Neil decided to let first team coach and club legend Rory Delap leave the club and also ended the loan of his son Liam Delap.[48] On 14 January, Joe Bursik joined Belgian side Club Brugge and later on Stoke went on to lose 3–1 to promotion chasing Sheffield United.[49] Loanees Harry Clarke and Tariqe Fosu both returned to their parent clubs before Stoke ended a run of three successive defeats with an emphatic 4–0 win over Reading.[50] Neil added more loan players to his squad, goalkeeper Matija Sarkic, defenders Ki-Jana Hoever and Axel Tuanzebe, midfielders Bersant Celina and Ben Pearson whilst Harry Souttar completed a £15 million move to Leicester City.[51]

February

New signings Celina and Sarkic made their first league start away at in-form Luton Town as Pelly Ruddock Mpanzu scored the only goal of the game,[52] this was followed by a drab goalless draw against Hull City.[53] Stoke then took on bottom of the table Huddersfield Town, winning 3–0 with goals from Jagielka, Brown and late penalty from Baker whilst the Terriers had Will Boyle sent-off for two bookable offences.[54] Stoke lost 1–0 to another bottom of the table side Blackpool, Ian Poveda scoring the only goal in the seventh minute.[55] They made amends two-days later beating Swansea City 3–1 with Josh Laurent scoring his first goals for the club.[56] Stoke ended February with 1–0 defeat against play-off chasing Millwall, Zian Flemming scoring the only goal early into the match.[57]

March

Alex Neil made his first return to Sunderland on 4 March where he was given a hostile reception.[58] His team won easily, beating the Black Cats 5–1 with a brace from both Campbell and Gayle.[59] Next up were promotion chasing Blackburn Rovers and Stoke continued their goalscoring form with Ki-Jana Hoever scoring his first goals for the club and a strike from Campbell, putting the team into a 3–0 lead before late Rovers goals made a nervy finish but Stoke saw out a 3–2 victory.[60] Four-days later Hoever scored again as Stoke came from behind to draw 1–1 at Middlesbrough.[61] Stoke ended March with a frustrating goalless draw against Norwich City after they were denied by an inspired performance from former loanee goalkeeper Angus Gunn.[62]

April

Following the international break Stoke produced one of the best performances of the season beating Coventry City 4–0 at the Coventry Building Society Arena with goals from Brown, Campbell, Hoever and Smallbone.[63] On Good Friday Bristol City were the opposition and despite Powell giving Stoke a first half lead The Robins mounted a comeback winning 2–1 and then on Easter Monday Stoke played out a drab goalless draw away at Birmingham City.[64][65] Stoke's poor home form continued with back-to-back defeats against West Bromwich Albion and Wigan Athletic.[66][67] City drew 1–1 at Cardiff with Jack Bonham saving a penalty from Sory Kaba and lost a 11th home match of the campaign against Queens Park Rangers.[68][69]

May

Stoke ended a forgettable campaign with a 2–0 defeat away at Watford to finish in 16th position.[70]

Results

More information Match, Date ...
MatchDateOpponentVenueResultAttendanceScorersReport
130 July 2022MillwallA0–215,341Report
26 August 2022BlackpoolH2–023,612Clarke 33', Brown 77'Report
313 August 2022Huddersfield TownA1–318,618Baker 56'Report
417 August 2022MiddlesbroughH2–218,345Brown 19', Wright-Phillips 90+1'Report
520 August 2022SunderlandH0–121,230Report
627 August 2022Blackburn RoversA1–013,371Baker 27'Report
731 August 2022Swansea CityH1–118,697Campbell 90+1'Report
84 September 2022ReadingA1–212,292Wilmot 40'Report
913 September 2022Hull CityA3–015,627Baker (2) 25', 64', Wilmot 45'Report
1017 September 2022Queens Park RangersA0–014,174Report
112 October 2022WatfordH0–419,905Report
125 October 2022BurnleyA1–118,131Clarke 87'Report
138 October 2022Sheffield UnitedH3–122,008Wilmot 4', Jagielka 45+4', Delap 90+1'Report
1415 October 2022Preston North EndA2–017,498Smallbone 58', Campbell 66'Report
1518 October 2022Rotherham UnitedH0–118,036Report
1622 October 2022Coventry CityH0–222,453Report
1729 October 2022Norwich CityA1–326,159Powell 90+2'Report
182 November 2022Wigan AthleticA1–010,223Tymon 62'Report
195 November 2022Birmingham CityH1–222,459Baker 75' (pen)Report
208 November 2022Luton TownH2–018,095Powell 3', Lockyer 13' (o.g.)Report
2112 November 2022West Bromwich AlbionA0–223,728Report
2210 December 2022Cardiff CityH2–220,111Campbell 11', Delap 18'Report
2317 December 2022Bristol CityA2–115,617Delap 45+2', Brown 57'Report
2426 December 2022Rotherham UnitedA2–211,517Campbell 61', Peltier 80' (o.g.)Report
2530 December 2022BurnleyH0–121,464Report
262 January 2023Preston North EndH0–120,034Report
2714 January 2023Sheffield UnitedA1–329,644Powell 45+1'Report
2821 January 2023ReadingH4–019,157Smallbone 11', Campbell 57', Brown 80', Gayle 83'Report
294 February 2023Luton TownA0–110,031Report
3011 February 2023Hull CityH0–023,970Report
3115 February 2023Huddersfield TownH3–017,700Jagielka 13', Brown 73', Baker 90+4' (pen)Report
3218 February 2023BlackpoolA0–113,238Report
3321 February 2023Swansea CityA3–115,817Laurent (2) 15', 19', Baker 90+3'Report
3425 February 2023MillwallH0–119,773Report
354 March 2023SunderlandA5–143,064Laurent 41', Campbell (2) 53', 57', Gayle (2) 68', 76'Report
3610 March 2023Blackburn RoversH3–217,427Hoever (2) 24', 43', Campbell 75'Report
3714 March 2023MiddlesbroughA1–124,779Hoever 45'Report
3818 March 2023Norwich CityH0–022,102Report
391 April 2023Coventry CityA4–023,625Brown 6', Campbell 40', Smallbone 71', Hoever 77'Report
407 April 2023Bristol CityH1–222,826Powell 36'Report
4110 April 2023Birmingham CityA0–017,413Report
4215 April 2023West Bromwich AlbionH1–223,486Brown 30'Report
4318 April 2023Wigan AthleticH0–117,726Report
4422 April 2023Cardiff CityA1–120,058Laurent 16'Report
4529 April 2023Queens Park RangersH0–122,486Report
468 May 2023WatfordA0–220,100Report
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League table

More information Pos, Pld ...
Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts
13 Norwich City 46 17 11 18 57 54 +3 62
14 Bristol City 46 15 14 17 55 56 1 59
15 Hull City 46 14 16 16 51 61 10 58
16 Stoke City 46 14 11 21 55 54 +1 53
17 Birmingham City 46 14 11 21 47 58 11 53
18 Huddersfield Town 46 14 11 21 47 62 15 53
19 Rotherham United 46 11 17 18 49 60 11 50
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Source: EFL Official Website
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Goal difference; 3) Number of goals scored; 4) Head-to-head results; 5) Wins; 6) Away goals; 7) Penalty points (sec 9.5); 8) 12-point sending off offences[71]

FA Cup

Stoke City were drawn away at EFL League Two side Hartlepool United in the third Round, winning 3–0 with Hartlepool scoring two own goals[72] and 3–1 at home to Stevenage in the fourth round.[73] Premier League side Brighton & Hove Albion were the visitors in the fifth round, winning 1–0 with a first half strike from Evan Ferguson.[74]

More information Round, Date ...
RoundDateOpponentVenueResultAttendanceScorersReport
R38 January 2023Hartlepool UnitedA3–04,340Murray 16' (o.g.), Brown 43', Menayese 48' (o.g.)Report
R429 January 2023StevenageH3–114,392Brown 3', Laurent 73', Baker 80' (pen)Report
R528 February 2023Brighton & Hove AlbionH0–112,949Report
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EFL Cup

Stoke were drawn away to Morecambe in the first round, and they lost 5–3 on penalties following a goalless draw.[75][76]

More information Round, Date ...
RoundDateOpponentVenueResultAttendanceScorersReport
R19 August 2022MorecambeA0–0 (3–5 pens)2,806Report
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Squad statistics

More information No., Pos. ...
No. Pos. Name Championship FA Cup EFL Cup Total Discipline
AppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
1GKEngland Josef Bursik 160000016010
1GKMontenegro Matija Sarkic 8000008000
2DFEngland Harry Clarke 9(9)2100(1)010(10)220
3DFWales Morgan Fox 35(5)01(1)01037(6)020
4DFEngland Aden Flint 9000009010
5DFAustralia Harry Souttar 7000007040
5DFEngland Axel Tuanzebe 3(1)010004(1)010
6DFEngland Phil Jagielka 26(1)21(1)01028(2)200
7MFEngland Sam Clucas 5(7)00(1)0106(8)000
8MFEngland Lewis Baker 30(14)71(2)11032(16)870
9FWScotland Jacob Brown 30(8)7321034(8)990
10FWEngland Tyrese Campbell 30(11)9201033(11)940
11FWEngland Dwight Gayle 31(4)30(1)00(1)031(6)330
13GKRepublic of Ireland Jack Bonham 23(1)0301027(1)000
14DFEngland Josh Tymon 19(9)1300022(9)120
15MFNorthern Ireland Jordan Thompson 19(15)0301023(15)070
16DFEngland Ben Wilmot 393200041360
17FWEngland Liam Delap 14(8)3100015(8)360
17DFNetherlands Ki-Jana Hoever 11(4)41(1)00012(5)400
18MFRepublic of Ireland Will Smallbone 38(5)31(1)00(1)039(7)320
20DFEngland Dujon Sterling 24(2)0200026(2)020
22MFRepublic of Ireland Gavin Kilkenny 1(2)000102(2)010
22MFEngland Ben Pearson 140000014081
23MFKosovo Bersant Celina 3(3)01(1)0004(4)000
24MFGhana Tariqe Fosu 13(7)0000013(7)030
25MFEngland Nick Powell 9(16)4100010(16)430
28MFEngland Josh Laurent 28(3)4310(1)031(4)570
29MFEngland D'Margio Wright-Phillips 0(7)1000(1)00(8)100
32DFEngland Connor Taylor 11(3)02(1)01014(4)040
33DFScotland Lewis Macari 000(1)0000(1)000
34GKEngland Frank Fielding 0000000000
37FWEngland Emre Tezgel 0(3)00(1)0000(4)000
39MFWales Tom Sparrow 1(1)000102(1)000
45FWEngland Nathan Lowe 0(1)00(1)0000(2)000
Own goals 2204
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Transfers

In

More information Date, Pos. ...
Date Pos. Name From Fee Ref.
29 June 2022 DF Scotland Liam McCarron England Leeds United Undisclosed [77]
1 July 2022 DF England Aden Flint Wales Cardiff City Free [78]
1 July 2022 MF England Josh Laurent England Reading Free [79]
7 July 2022 FW Republic of Ireland Dara McGuinness Republic of Ireland Shamrock Rovers Undisclosed [80]
7 July 2022 FW England Kahrel Reddin England Aston Villa Undisclosed [80]
7 July 2022 MF England Sonny Singh England Sunderland Undisclosed [80]
22 July 2022 FW England Dwight Gayle England Newcastle United Free [81]
1 August 2022 GK England Tommy Jackson England Walsall Free [82]
15 August 2022 FW Sweden Edwin Andersson England Chelsea Free [83]
15 August 2022 FW England Jacob Holland-Wilkinson England Preston North End Free [83]
15 August 2022 MF England Ben Kershaw England Rochdale Free [83]
26 August 2022 DF Jamaica Luke Badley-Morgan England Chelsea Free [84]
26 August 2022 DF England Luke Redfern England Burton Albion Free [84]
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Out

More information Date, Pos. ...
Date Pos. Name To Fee Ref.
20 June 2022 MF England Alfie Doughty England Luton Town Undisclosed [85]
28 June 2022 FW Democratic Republic of the Congo Benik Afobe England Millwall Undisclosed [86]
30 June 2022 DF Wales James Chester England Derby County Released [87][88]
30 June 2022 MF Wales Joe Allen Wales Swansea City Released [89][90][91]
30 June 2022 DF England Kieran Coates England Chester Released [92][93]
30 June 2022 FW Scotland Steven Fletcher Scotland Dundee United Released [92][94]
30 June 2022 GK Scotland Robbie Hemfrey England Rotherham United Released [92][95]
30 June 2022 MF England Tom Ince England Reading Released [92][96]
30 June 2022 MF England Pat Jarrett Scotland Queens Park Released [92][97]
30 June 2022 FW England Max McCarthy Unattached Released [92]
30 June 2022 FW Wales Christian Norton England Cheltenham Town Released [98]
30 June 2022 MF England Adam Porter England Salford City Released [99]
30 June 2022 DF England Tommy Smith England Middlesbrough Released [87][100]
8 July 2022 FW Republic of Ireland Ethon Varian Republic of Ireland Bohemian Free [101]
26 July 2022 DF England Will Forrester England Port Vale Undisclosed [102]
15 September 2022 MF Nigeria Peter Etebo Greece Aris Thessaloniki Undisclosed [103]
9 January 2023 FW England Will Goodwin England Cheltenham Town Undisclosed [104]
10 January 2023 DF Wales Eddy Jones England Altrincham Undisclosed [105]
14 January 2023 GK England Josef Bursik Belgium Club Brugge Undisclosed [106]
31 January 2023 DF Australia Harry Souttar England Leicester City Undisclosed [107]
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Loans in

More information Date from, Pos. ...
Date from Pos. Name From Date to Ref.
20 June 2022 DF England Harry Clarke England Arsenal 19 January 2023[a] [108][109]
2 July 2022 MF Republic of Ireland Gavin Kilkenny England AFC Bournemouth 31 January 2023[b] [110][111]
23 July 2022 MF Republic of Ireland Will Smallbone England Southampton End of Season [112]
16 August 2022 FW Ghana Tariqe Fosu England Brentford 20 January 2023[c] [113][114]
18 August 2022 FW England Liam Delap England Manchester City 12 January 2023[d] [115][116]
1 September 2022 DF England Dujon Sterling England Chelsea End of Season [117]
25 January 2023 GK Montenegro Matija Sarkic England Wolverhampton Wanderers End of Season [118]
26 January 2023 MF Kosovo Bersant Celina France Dijon End of Season [119]
27 January 2023 DF Netherlands Ki-Jana Hoever England Wolverhampton Wanderers End of Season [120]
31 January 2023 MF England Ben Pearson England AFC Bournemouth End of Season [121]
31 January 2023 DF England Axel Tuanzebe England Manchester United End of Season [122]
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  1. On 19 January, Clarke was recalled back to Arsenal and was sold to Ipswich Town
  2. On 31 January, Kilkenny was recalled back to Bournemouth and loaned to Charlton
  3. On 20 January, Fosu was recalled back to Brentford and loaned to Rotherham United
  4. On 12 January, Delap was recalled back to Manchester City and loaned to Preston North End

Loans out

More information Date from, Pos. ...
Date from Pos. Name To On loan until Ref.
18 June 2022 MF Bosnia and Herzegovina Mario Vrančić Croatia HNK Rijeka End of season [123]
27 June 2022 MF England Tashan Oakley-Boothe England Lincoln City End of season [124]
1 July 2022 FW England Douglas James-Taylor England Walsall End of season [125]
19 July 2022 FW England Will Goodwin England Torquay United 1 January 2023 [126]
26 July 2022 GK England Tommy Simkin England AFC Fylde 31 August 2022 [127]
1 September 2022 DF England Tom Edwards England Barnsley 16 January 2023[a] [128][129]
1 September 2022 MF Scotland Liam McCarron England Port Vale End of season [130]
2 September 2022 DF Wales Eddy Jones England Altrincham 1 January 2023 [131]
2 September 2022 MF Wales Dan Malone England Altrincham 1 January 2023 [131]
2 September 2022 DF Republic of Ireland David Okagbue England Oldham Athletic 8 January 2023[b] [132][133]
9 September 2022 DF England Demeaco Duhaney Turkey İstanbulspor End of season [134]
24 September 2022 GK Cameroon Blondy Nna Noukeu England Southend United 7 March 2023[c] [135][136][137][138]
7 January 2023 DF Wales Tom Sparrow Scotland Hamilton Academical 30 June 2023 [139]
27 January 2023 DF Wales Matt Baker Wales Newport County 30 June 2023 [140]
27 January 2023 DF England Aden Flint England Sheffield Wednesday 30 June 2023 [141]
31 January 2023 MF England D'Margio Wright-Phillips England Northampton Town 30 June 2023 [142]
17 February 2023 MF Wales Dan Malone England AFC Fylde 30 June 2023 [143]
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  1. On 16 January, Edwards returned from his loan at Barnsley due to a serious knee injury
  2. On 29 September, Okagbue's loan at Oldham was extended until January 8
  3. In January, Nna Noukeu's loan was extended to the end of February 2023, On 3 April it was extended again for a further 28 days but four days later he was recalled by Stoke.

References

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