STOKE’S Promotion and team manager’s Malcolm Vasey and Adam Isherwood moved swiftly to sign Arran Butcher as a replacement for injury victim Joe Alcock.

Butcher who has guested with the Potters for the past couple of meetings started the season at Birmingham and is an ideal replacement for Alcock who broke his collarbone in the defeat at Mildenhall on Sunday.

Team manager Vasey commented “As soon as we had it confirmed that Joe (Alcock) had broken his collarbone we acted immediately and spoke to Arran Butcher and sorted a deal out to bring him to Loomer Road. Reserves are important for all clubs during matches and we needed someone to back up Paul Burnett in the reserve berth. We have spoken to Joe Alcock and explained the situation and told him that he has a long-term future with the club and will be back in at the club when fit and he understands the situation we were in.”

Butcher will make his full debut for the club in the home fixture against Kent at Loomer road on Saturday night.