Ramadan Sobhi's lack of playing time with Stoke City this season is not understandable given the Egyptian winger's commitment and hard work, his agent said on Saturday. The former Ahly winger has been confined to the bench since making a late substitute appearance against Huddersfield in a Premier League game on 20 January. He was even left out of the team's squad for the 0-0 draw at Southampton on Saturday, raising more questions about the future of the promising 21-year-old. "His lack of playing time at the beginning might have been because he needed time to adapt … but things are different now," Sobhi's agent Nader Shawky told an Egyptian radio station. "He is fit on the technical and physical levels and is working hard in training. It seems the coach (Paul Lambert) is not very convinced (with Sobhi's displays) and there might be a number of reasons for that. "I will not interfere in the coach's job but Sobhi's interests are the priority and we have to sit down and discuss his future." Sobhi joined Stoke from Cairo giants Ahly on a four-year contract in the summer of 2016. He had his deal extended by the club for another season in October. He has made 21 appearances in all competitions so far this season, scoring four goals including two in the elite Premier League. He became Stoke's youngest ever scorer in the Premier League when he struck in the 3-1 home victory over West Bromwich in December. Shawky said Sobhi is unlikely to return to Ahly but that he needs to be given assurances over his future. "I'm going to England in April to settle things. He has four years to run on his contract but I will see where his interests lie. His numbers are good, so why doesn't he play?" he added. "I think that he will continue in the Premier League." (For more sports news and updates, follow Ahram Online Sports on Twitter at @AO_Sports and on Facebook at AhramOnlineSports.)
