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Mark Robins explains quickfire Stoke City striker transfer decision Milan Smit only joined Stoke City permanently this summer but has not been let out on loan Mark Robins admits that it was the wrong time for a project like Milan Smit this season as Stoke City sanction a loan exit for a striker they signed in January. Smit was brought in from Go Ahead Eagles when Stoke suffered a mid-season injury crisis that left Sam Gallagher, Divin Mubama and Robert Bozenik as well as Nathan Lowe and Emre Tezgel all as long-term treatment room detainees. He scored twice in six starts and seven cameos on a loan deal with purchase clause that was triggered heading into the summer. But Robins wants to bring in a new front man before deadline day who he can hang his hat more firmly to influence games in the here and now – and that meant letting out Smit to join Darmstadt in 2. Bundesliga. FOLLOW OUR FACEBOOK PAGE! Latest Stoke City news, analysis and more via the Sentinel He knows Stoke will get flak for letting go a player who they have only just signed but he hopes it will benefit both the player and club in the long-term. He said: “With Milan, he’s a victim of his own circumstance and the circumstances we find ourselves in. You buy a young striker, 22 years of age, to come in and try to develop. It’s not the right moment for him because I can’t give him that game time because of the demands placed on us. We have to do that. “It’s really difficult for someone to come in and hit the ground running, having been here for six months. He’s still working towards understanding the level but that’s where we’re at. “That’s why he’s gone out on loan. If he can do that and play regular football in Germany then it benefits him and it will benefit us in the long run.” Smit could make his Darmstadt debut at Dynamo Dresden today (12.30pm). Your reaction? Click HERE to join the debate