Mark Robins was told Stoke City fans would make him ‘go deaf’ after Steven Nzonzi moment

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Stoke City fans have every right to be shouting from the rooftops at this point.

The Potters have made a brilliant start to the Championship and shown every sign of being up there in the promotion race.

Mark Robins has been central to that and the fans at the Bet365 Stadium are clearly getting behind him.

Although they were unable to beat Norwich City at the weekend, there was one moment that left the Stoke boss thinking he may never hear again.

• READ MORE: Stoke City star explains how World Cup champion has allowed him to thrive under Mark Robins

Mark Robins given hearing warning after Steven Nzonzi appearance

Steven Nzonzi returned to Stoke for a second spell this summer after his contract at Sevilla came to an end.

Fans have had to be patient to see the midfielder return to action and he was met with a roaring applause when he was substituted on.

Robins said the reaction was special, but so loud that his Apple watch warned that the noise could leave him deaf.

He said: “The introduction of Steven Nzonzi, the returning Messiah, was fantastic to hear and then you see the quality’s there.

“The supporters were absolutely right behind us trying to roar us on. I’ve got an Apple watch that’s telling me that the decibels are too loud and any longer it’ll make you start to go deaf. That’s fantastic.”

Stoke City to be patient with Steven Nzonzi

As a cult hero in Staffordshire, the temptation to throw the World Cup winner straight back into the mix is very high.

However, Robins wants the Frenchman to build up his fitness before unleashing him when the time is right.

“I’m tempted to play him from the start if he’s ready but he’s not played a minute of football since he left Stephan and he’s been injured for a while,” admitted the former Coventry City manager.

“On Friday I had a conversation with him which meant he was going to be on the bench and play some part but I’ve got to be careful. I can’t just throw him in and expect him to be ready to go.”