Dean Holden makes Stoke City player admission amid uncertain future

Stoke City assistant manager Dean Holden believes Joe Allen will be a big miss if he was to depart the bet365 Stadium in the summer, making this admission to Stoke-on-Trent Live.

The 32-year-old has been an integral asset for the Potters again this season, making 39 league appearances and appearing as one of the first names on the teamsheet under Michael O’Neill, though there was uncertainty surrounding his future.

With the Staffordshire outfit still likely to be restricted in what they can spend this summer, it was unclear whether they would be able to tempt the midfielder to sign fresh terms at the club, with whispers that he wanted to be closer to home nation Wales.

However, it was revealed by The Telegraph’s John Percy earlier this week that the second-tier side were lining up a contract offer for the Welshman in a bid to retain him beyond the summer with his contract expiring at the end of this term.

And Stoke-on-Trent Live even believe he is willing to extend his stay at the bet365 Stadium, even if he has to take a salary decrease to do so in what could be a big boost for the Potters.

However, he is still set to leave the club as things stand with an agreement seemingly yet to be reached between the two parties and Stoke’s assistant boss Holden has admitted he would be a big miss if he doesn’t sign on the dotted line.

He said: “He’s (Allen) a brilliant professional, he cares and he helps his teammates and he wants this football club to do well.

“It’s as simple as that and if he wanted to move on it would be a huge miss.”

The Verdict:

Although he has been part of a downbeat era in Staffordshire, Allen has been a good servant to the Potters and would certainly enhance their promotion chances if he was to remain at