Massive Sunderland and Leeds games could provide a boost. Stoke skipper is dissatisfied with the club’s season.

Sunderland are preparing for their meeting against Alex Neil’s Stoke City at the bet365 Stadium on Saturday.

Stoke captain Josh Laurent admits his team hasn’t been good enough this season, with the club having won just one of their past eight Championship games.

The Potters are 21st in the Championship table ahead of back-to-back home games against Sunderland and Leeds, with Potters manager Alex Neil looking for an improvement in the squad’s injury situation after the international break.

Laurent, who has started all 11 league games for Stoke this season, told the club’s website: “Before the first international break, we weren’t too bad.” I think we showed a lot of promise, but in the end, we know it wasn’t good enough, and everyone in the building knows it wasn’t good enough.

“We’re all frustrated by it, and we’re all working hard to get back on track and start getting some good results, to start looking ahead and up the table.”

“It’s been difficult and challenging; obviously, it’s a new group, and everyone is learning about each other and what’s best for the team.” We all know it hasn’t been good enough, and the fans, we, the coaches, and everyone associated with the football club are frustrated, but we must remain together and get through this difficult phase.”

Laurent commented on the forthcoming games against Sunderland and Leeds, saying, “We probably need two back-to-back results to just uplift our season and really give us a push that gives us a bit of self-belief.” Of course, doing it in front of our home fans, having them rally behind us, and having that unity between fans, team, and coach is what we’re aiming for and what we want.

“They are two massive games, every game is massive in this league but those are really big massive games for us that we want to win.”

Sunderland may also be able to welcome back some of their first-team players for the match against Stoke at the bet365 Stadium, but midfielder Dan Neil will be sidelined after receiving a red card against Middlesbrough the previous time out.