Leicester City’s Tom Cannon made his debut for Stoke City in their 1-0 defeat away at Oxford United on Saturday.
Cannon joined the Championship side on loan until the end of the season after being deemed surplus to requirements by Steve Cooper.
The Foxes were reluctant to let him leave due to a lack of attacking options but after signing Odsonne Edouard on loan from Crystal Palace, Leicester confirmed Cannon’s departure.
Following the return to domestic football this weekend, Cannon was immediately thrust into the action for his new club.
How did Tom Cannon perform on Stoke City debut?
Stoke considered the signing of Cannon to be a major coup after beating several Championship rivals to his signature.
As a sign of their faith in him, Stoke boss Steven Schumacher gave Cannon a start on his debut and a chance to lead the line.
Unfortunately it was a debut to forget for the 21-year-old as he couldn’t inspire his new teammates to victory, instead losing 1-0 on the road to Oxford, where fellow Fox Ben Nelson was an unused substitute.
The Republic of Ireland international couldn’t get into the game and had just four touches in the first half, followed by another six in the second before being subbed off in the 73rd minute.
Stoke boss Steven Schumacher reflects on Tom Cannon debut
Wearing the number nine shirt implies that Cannon will have a big part to play in Stoke’s fortunes this season however Stoke manager Schumacher admits they struggled to get the best out of him on his debut, and that his lack of minutes during pre-season for Leicester means he is playing catch up.
Schumacher said: “He lacked any service.
“We had no real quality when we got into the final third to pick people out. Space wasn’t really there for him to run into because of how congested the game was and it was a game that got away from us.
“For him, himself, he hasn’t played any football, only minimal minutes in pre-season for Leicester so not to expect too much too soon, but 70 minutes will do him good.”
Cannon could make his home debut in the Carabao Cup Third Round tie against Fleetwood Town on Tuesday night, and his home league debut against Hull City on Friday night.