Saido Berahino determined to put mistakes in past and prove a point at Stoke

07 March 2017 16:53

Saido Berahino is determined to move on from his past mistakes as he looks to prove a point to himself at his new club Stoke.

Berahino joined the Potters in January to bring an end to his troubled time at West Brom - although it was only shortly after the move that it emerged he had served an eight-week Football Association ban earlier this season for using a recreational drug.

Speaking ahead of Stoke's Premier League clash with Manchester City on Wednesday, the 23-year-old striker told Sky Sports: "I have a lot to prove to myself first of all, and I think I owe that to myself.

"I've let myself down a lot, and it's time that I put it right and prove to myself I can be the player that was showing good signs (a few years ago)."

Berahino, who scored 20 goals in all competitions for Albion in 2014-15, has stressed his desire to create "great memories" at Stoke as he looks to find form again and properly move on from his past problems.

"I'm naive at times," he said. " Nowadays people are interested in all the wrong stuff, the bad press.

"Sometimes you just have to be stronger than that, and put your hand up and accept that you made mistakes.

"No one knows the full story, apart from the FA and the club. It's hard.

"But you have to take it on the chin. I put myself in that situation and you have to pay for your actions.

"It's done now and I'm just looking forward to putting all that behind me and creating great memories here."

Berahino arrived at Stoke having not played first-team football since September, and he has made four appearances, all as a substitute, so far for the Staffordshire outfit, without scoring.

As well as his first start, Wednesday's match at the Etihad Stadium could also see a return to action for Stoke winger Xherdan Shaqiri, who is available again after five games out due to a calf problem.

Bruno Martins Indi (knee) is a major doubt, while Marko Arnautovic (illness) and Glen Johnson (shoulder) could miss out as well.

Wilfried Bony is ineligible as he is on loan from the hosts, while it remains to be seen whether Giannelli Imbula - who, like Bony, failed to make the squad for Saturday's 2-0 win over Middlesbrough despite being available - is involved this time.

Pep Guardiola's City will move up a place to second in the table, eight points behind leaders Chelsea, if they can extend their unbeaten run in all competitions to 10 games with a victory on Wednesday.

Ninth-placed Stoke were thrashed 4-0 in their previous away game by the side currently in second spot, Tottenham.

The scoreline was the same when Mark Hughes's men were beaten at the Etihad Stadium in April, and they subsequently suffered a 4-1 home defeat against Guardiola's side in August.

Source: PA