Tony Pulis has made four changes to his starting line up for this afternoon's clash against Aston Villa.
Robert Huth's suspension has paved the way for Danny Collins to return to the back line whilst Ryan Shawcross is also missing through injury - meaning Danny Higginbotham makes his first Potters start in a couple of months.
Liam Lawrence remains absent with flu meaning Pulis has switched Dean Whitehead to wide right with Republic of Ireland international Glenn Whelan being brought into to the heart of midfield at the expense of Rory Delap.
Mamady Sidibe also comes in for Ricardo Fuller, with the Jamaican amongst the substitutes.
Live match commentary is already underway here at Villa Park on Stoke City Player whilst minute-to-minute coverage will get underway later on here at stokecityfc.com.
ASTON VILLA (4-4-2): Friedel, Luke Young, Cuellar, Dunne, Warnock; Milner, Petrov (c), Downing, Ashley Young; Agbonlahor, Heskey. Substitutes: Guzan (gk), Sidwell, Carew, Delph, Reo-Coker, Beye, Collins.
CITY (4-4-2): Sorensen; Wilkinson, Abdoulaye Faye (c), Higginbotham, Collins; Whitehead, Whelan, Diao, Etherington; Sidibe, Tuncay. Substitutes: Simonsen (gk), Cort, Lawrence, Beattie, Fuller, Pugh, Delap.
