Blake Handed Stoke Trial

By Mark Heys
July 10 2006

Ex-Wanderers striker Nathan Blake is set to return to full time football with Championship side Stoke City after a year out of the game.

The 34-year old is being handed a trial by Potters manager Tony Pulis over the summer in an attempt to recapture the form which made him one of the most prolific lower league attackers of the last decade.

Blake, a Bolton player during their record breaking 1997 promotion season, was released by Leicester City at the end of the 2004-2005 season after sustaining injury.

Pulis hopes that the experienced Welshman can prove his fitness over the next fortnight and become an assett at the Brittania Stadium.

"Nathan has been a top player, He's had a year out of football and just rang us up to ask if he could come in and train. He's worked hard and we'll be seeing how he goes on in the next couple of weeks" said former Plymouth cheif Pulis who is now in his second spell in the Potters hot-seat.

The powerful front man has also served Leeds United, Wolverhampton Wanderers, Blackburn Rovers, Sheffield United and hometown club Cardiff City since making the breakthrough in professional football in 1990.