Kevin Wimmer is facing further frustration at Stoke City after it emerged the £18m defender has been placed on a special fitness regime by Paul Lambert.

Barely a year after playing in the Champions League for Tottenham Hotspur, Wimmer has not appeared since Lambert’s arrival and is now on a tailored training programme designed to get him match-fit.

The Austria international was a big summer signing for Lambert’s predecessor Mark Hughes but has not featured in any of Lambert’s match-day squads since his appointment in January.

It is understood Wimmer is not overweight, but at this stage is deemed unfit to play in Lambert’s high-octane, pressing style of football.

Lambert revealed last week that Saido Berahino, the £12m striker, was also in a similar position and “not up to my level of fitness”.

And with Stoke battling to avoid relegation to the Championship, Wimmer is unlikely to play until he is fully up to speed. Insiders say he is working hard to get fit and there has been no fall-out between the player and Lambert.