Stoke City boss Paul Lambert silent on Jese no-show reports

Stoke manager Paul Lambert refused to comment on reports on-loan Paris Saint-Germain forward Jese has failed to report for training.

There were claims on Thursday the 25-year-old had not returned from his latest spell of compassionate leave to visit his sick son in Spain, which he was expected to do on Wednesday.

Jese has not featured in Stoke's squad for the last two matches and his last appearance was as a substitute in the defeat to Everton on March 17.

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However, Lambert refused to speak about the player or Saido Berahino, who is training with the club's under-23s.

"I am just going to concentrate on Monday's game," he said when asked about Jese. "The exact same [answer] for Saido.

"The team is playing really well. The supporters are right behind us and my main concern is the West Ham game."

Stoke are four points adrift of safety after nine Premier League games without a win but Lambert says results are not a reflection his side's performances.

"You need a little bit of luck at certain times but the performances have been incredibly high," he said. "The way we've performed, I couldn't ask any more from the team.

When you lose guys like that you lose a big chunk of goals in your team.

"The atmosphere here last weekend [against Tottenham] was incredible. I've been in the game for a long time and not seen that reaction to a team that has lost a game.

"The fans are with us, which is the most important thing, and if we can keep doing what we're doing we'll certainly win games."

West Ham sit 14th in the Premier League table, seven points ahead of Stoke, and Lambert knows victory at the London Stadium will drag the Hammers back into the relegation mire.

"We have to come away with something," he said. "The intent is to go and win and we'll do everything we can to get three points.

"If we get a win it drags a few back into the [relegation battle], that's the most important thing. If we keep playing the way we and doing the things we've asked the players to do, we've got a great chance."

West Ham have struggled at home this season, winning just five of their 15 games at the London Stadium, which sparked a revolt by supporters after last month's loss to Burnley.

The Hammers have since beaten Southampton and drawn at Chelsea but Lambert hopes Stoke can come away from the capital with a positive result.

He said: "I've been to Upton Park before and know how difficult that was, and going to a new stadium is never easy.

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"I've not been [to the London Stadium] so I don't know what to expect. Whether the fans are too far away from the pitch itself, that might hinder West Ham. It's new for them and we have to try and do what Burnley did."

One familiar face in the West Ham line-up is Marko Arnautovic, who scored on his return to former club Stoke last December, and the Austrian also found the net twice in West Ham's last home game against Saints.

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"I don't know the guy personally but he had some good years here and scored a lot of goals, and assists as well," said Lambert.

"I saw him last week [against Chelsea] and he was very good. When you lose guys like that you lose a big chunk of goals in your team.

"It's a big loss but for whatever reason he left the club. He's West Ham's player and we have to stop him."

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