Stoke City should plot move for Middlesbrough player amid Million Manhoef update | OneFootball

Isaiah Jones would be an ideal, realistic signing for the Potters after Million Manhoef was ruled out for up to three months

Stoke City were set to be busy in the January transfer window after some poor recent form, but Million Manhoef's new injury update will surely have fast-tracked their plans for winger additions next month, and one out-of-favour Middlesbrough man would be an ideal new signing.

The Potters are currently in the midst of one of their worst runs of form in recent years, with no wins in their last seven outings and the club currently in 17th place in the Championship under recently-appointed head-coach Narcis Pelach.

Pelach is set to be kept on amid Stoke's struggles, after he was only given the reins at the bet365 Stadium in September, but a new update around star man Million Manhoef's injury woes will come as a huge blow to him, and all connected to the club.

Right-winger Manhoef has suffered medial collateral ligament damage, and is set to be out of action for eight to 12 weeks in the middle of a hectic December and January schedule, so the Potters need to act fast to replace his input in the new year.

Football League World exclusively revealed this week that versatile Middlesbrough wide man Isaiah Jones is looking to leave the Riverside Stadium in January due to his lack of opportunities in Michael Carrick's side so far this season.

The 25-year-old is set to be available on loan next month, and can shine in the second-tier when given a chance, so Stoke should make his capture a priority as soon as possible in the January window, as they seek alternatives to the injured Manhoef.

Million Manhoef's injury is a real setback for Stoke City

Manhoef has been one of the Potters' star players since his £3.4m January move from Dutch side Vitesse Arnhem, and this fresh update will come as a huge blow to the club and under-pressure head-coach Pelach.

The Netherlands under-21 international quickly became one of the Championship's most exciting wingers in 2023/24 as he registered four goals and an assist in 14 games and played a key role in their eventually successful bid to avoid relegation to League One, and his good performances have continued this term after he attracted transfer interest from Leeds United in the summer.

His five goals and three assists in 24 appearances so far this term led Football League World to exclusively reveal last week that the Potters were fielding interest in his services from Premier League clubs ahead of the January window, yet a move clearly seems highly unlikely now.

Stoke-on-TrentLive have reported that Manhoef is set to be out for at least two-and-a-half months after limping out of his side's draw against Cardiff City last weekend after 61 minutes, as new scans have revealed that the injury is worse than initially feared.

Boss Pelach has called the 22-year-old "a big miss," but also insisted that his injury will provide "an opportunity for other players," yet Stoke's wing options are scarce even with Manhoef fit, with the likes of Andre Vidigal, Lewis Koumas and Lynden Gooch able to play there, but all much better suited to other positions.

With Manhoef possibly out until mid-March, Stoke need to bolster their wide options in the new year with a similarly pacey, creative, strong ball-carrier, and Jones seems like a realistic capture, given recent updates surrounding his future at Boro.

FLW reported earlier this week that the 25-year-old wants out of the Riverside Stadium in the new year, with his lack of game-time this season contributing to his feeling that he would be better served elsewhere.

Jones has built a reputation as a quick, direct wide player that can feature at either right-wing or right-wing back over the last few seasons, yet despite a good 2023/24 campaign, he has fallen down Michael Carrick's pecking order this term, and has started just one game since September, and only featured in three of the Teessiders' last eight outings.

He is surely not set to be short of suitors in the new year, given his versatility and clear Championship quality, with the Northern Echo recently reporting that second-tier clubs are monitoring his situation as the January window edges ever closer.

Stoke would be able to offer him a real increase in game-time in the second-half of the season, if a loan move were to be sanctioned, as Pelach's right-wing spot is definitely up for grabs due to Manhoef's unavailability.

Jones was rated as the sixth-most similar player to the 22-year-old in the Championship last season by FBref, and while his qualities bear clear similarities to Manhoef, he is also a lot more versatile, and would offer a good option as a wing-back when needed, as well as a winger that tracks back and wins defensive duels, which is what the Potters need to stop conceding so many goals.