Paul Lambert hopeful of Mame Biram Diouf return for Arsenal clash

Stoke City manager Paul Lambert has said that he is hopeful striker Mame Biram Diouf will be fit to make his return to club action against Arsenal next weekend.

The 30-year-old damaged his shoulder in the goalless draw with Southampton earlier this month and subsequently missed the games against Manchester City and Everton.

Diouf featured for Senegal in their stalemate with Bosnia on Tuesday evening, however, playing 68 minutes in Le Havre before being taken off.

Lambert may now have the former Manchester United ace back in his ranks for the trip to North London, though he is still unsure about six more of his internationals who have been away over the past fortnight.

"Mame has been a miss for us, but he played for his country over the break so hopefully he is OK now," he told reporters at Wednesday afternoon's press conference.

"Obviously, we are going to have to take a look at him, just as we are with all of the other lads who have been away from the club for a while. We expect them to be [fit] because the word we have from them all right now is that they are OK."

Midfielder Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting is a confirmed absentee, though, having picked up an injury when scoring against Everton prior to the international break.