Ryan Mmaee absence explained as outcast Stoke City forward ‘very unfortunate
Ryan Mmaee is yet to kick a ball out on loan at Rapid Vienna
Ryan Mmaee remains on the sidelines at Rapid Vienna and yet to make an appearance since he joined on loan from Stoke City for the season.
Mmaee made the switch late in the summer transfer window to help Rapid deal with an injury crisis but their bad luck continued when he picked up an injury himself – only described as a muscle strain – in his first training session.
The 26-year-old striker, who had been nursing hamstring and knee injuries for Stoke between April and August, is still in recovery but his boss doesn’t sound too concerned that he will still prove a shrewd addition.
Rapid sporting director Markus Katzer told Sky Austria at the weekend: “He had a medical check and everything was fine. Unfortunately, he injured himself in the first training session. That was very unfortunate.
“As long as the team plays like this, we can compensate for it. It is also a fact: He will play for Rapid and help us with his quality.”
Rapid won 1-0 away at Altach yesterday and sit second behind Sturm Graz in the Austrian Bundesliga after the opening nine matches of the season, with five wins and three draws to their credit.
They are also in the Uefa Conference League after being beaten by Braga over two legs in the Europa League play-off round. They won 2-1 away at Istanbul Basaksehir last week and have matches coming up against FC Noah, Petrocub Hincesti, Shamrock Rovers, Omonia and Copenhagen.
Mmaee joined Stoke from Ferencvaros in the summer of 2023 and is under contract until 2026.
Modest Nathan Lowe wants to share any credit and repay trust shown in him as he continues to
score regularly in his first proper loan away from Stoke City.
Lowe has come through the ranks at Stoke and been prolific in the latter age groups, working his way into the England junior fold and spending last season on the fringes of the Potters’ first team.
Now 19, he has been allowed out to play regularly this term and his performances – plus those of 19-year-old keeper Tommy Simkin, also on loan from Stoke – have helped put Walsall top of League Two after the opening 10 matches.
