IF BEN Pearson is selected to face his former club tonight, it could give Andoni Iraola a first chance to meet him.

Pearson was sold to Stoke City this summer, more than two weeks after Iraola was confirmed as Cherries’ new boss.

However, when the first team squad returned for pre-season training, Pearson was instead sent to train with the development squad, alongside Siriki Dembele and Jamal Lowe.

The club decided the futures of all three was to be away from Cherries.

Pearson ended up returning to Stoke, where he spent part of last season on loan. The midfielder made 55 appearances for Cherries after joining from Preston North End in January 2021, helping the club clinch promotion into the Premier League.

Stoke visit Vitality Stadium in the Carabao Cup tonight (7.45pm).

Asked if he had many conversations with Pearson over the summer and how involved he was in the decision to let the 28-year-old leave, head coach Iraola told the Daily Echo: “I haven’t even met him.

“I don’t know him. I’ve seen him play, but I haven’t even met him.

“It was a decision that had been made even before I arrived here.”

Mark Travers also left Cherries to join Stoke in the summer, on a loan deal.

The goalkeeper is ineligible to face his parent club this evening.