Stoke City

Paul Lambert refuses to comment on Jese Rodriguez no-show reports

By Daniel Lewis, Senior Reporter | 12 April 2018

Paul Lambert is only focused on Stoke City's trip to West Ham United on Monday night, amid reports that Jese Rodriguez failed to turn up for training earlier this week.

Stoke City manager Paul Lambert has dodged questions regarding the future of Jese Rodriguez, who is rumoured to have gone AWOL in recent days.

The Telegraph reported on Wednesday that the Paris Saint-Germain loanee has failed to report for training, angering club officials and leaving his future at the bet365 Stadium looking bleak.

Jese had previously been given compassionate leave to care for his poorly baby in Spain, but he was due to return to the club's Clayton Wood HQ earlier in the week ahead of the trip to West Ham United on Monday night.

Saido Berahino has been sent to train with the club's Under-23s after reporting late for a reserves game last week, meanwhile, as Labert's problems pile up.

Asked to clarify the future of Jese, the Stoke boss said: "I am just going to concentrate on Monday's game. The exact same [answer] for Saido. The team is playing really well. The supporters are right behind us and my main concern is the West Ham game.

"You need a little bit of luck at certain times but the performances have been incredibly high. The way we've performed, I couldn't ask any more from the team.

"The atmosphere here last weekend [against Tottenham] was incredible. I've been in the game for a long time and not seen that reaction to a team that has lost a game. The fans are with us, which is the most important thing, and if we can keep doing what we're doing we'll certainly win games."

Jese last featured for Stoke on March 17 in the 2-1 loss to Everton.