Stoke City v Sunderland
Saturday 15 October
Bet365 Stadium
Premier League
Stoke City
Goalkeepers: Jack Butland’s continued absence due to a fractured ankle means Lee Grant will once again deputise between the posts. On loan from Derby County, Grant produced a man-of-the-match display in Stoke City’s last outing at Old Trafford – a 1-1 draw – as the Potters sealed a first point at the Theatre of Dreams since 1980. The ‘keeper produced a string of stunning saves in his third start in as many games. Former Black Cat Shay Given is expected to be named on the bench.
Defence: Ryan Shawcross will skipper the Potters at the Bet365 Stadium. The defender has made over 300 league appearances, including a brief loan spell, since moving to Staffordshire from Manchester United, and has been a consistent performer during a nine-year spell. He will be partnered by on-loan Porto defender Bruno Martins Indi who has been a regular starter following a summer move to the Premier League, with the Netherlands international forming part of the Dutch side who finished third at the 2014 World Cup. Glen Johnson – recalled to the England squad last week only to miss out due to injury – should be fit to face the Black Cats, with Erik Peters also likely to start. Marc Muniesa and former Sunderland defender Phil Bardsley will provide the depth.
Midfield: Steven Ireland and Ibrahim Afellay are long-term absentees but the Potters were rocked by a further blow during the international break with Joe Allen suffering a hamstring injury. The former Liverpool man has been exceptional following a summer move from Anfield but is likely to miss the game with no return date set. Record signing Gianelli Imbula has made five appearances during the campaign but missed the draw with Manchester United, with Glen Whelan expected to line up against the Lads. Ramadan Sobhi, 19, could play a part with Charlie Adam also ready if called upon.
Attack: Stoke boast a plethora of options in attack and they will pose a stern test for the Sunderland defence. Wilfried Bony will lead the line following a high-profile loan move from Manchester City, and the Ivorian will be anxious to show the Potters fans what he can do after failing to find the net in his first five appearances. Marko Arnautovic is also likely to feature but unlike Bony he’s firing on all cylinders, netting two domestic goals to date while notching a brace for Austria last weekend against Wales. Xherdan Shaqiri returned from injury in recent weeks and he came through the international unscathed. Should Allen missed out, Bojan could come into the side, with Jon Walters and Peter Crouch also waiting in reserve.
Manager: Mark Hughes is now in his third season as Stoke City boss and its arguably the most testing to date. Like Sunderland, the Potters are without a win in the Premier League but the Welshman will have faith in his squad following consecutive top 10 finishes. Hughes, 52, enjoyed a stunning playing career turning out for the likes of Manchester United, Barcelona, Bayern Munich and Chelsea, and he’s managed a raft of top-flight clubs from Blackburn Rovers to Manchester City.
Team news
Stoke City
Joe Allen is a doubt but Glen Johnson is expected to be available. Jack Butland is close to a return but won’t feature with Steven Ireland and Ibrahim Afellay long-term absentees.
Sunderland
Sunderland have endured a torrid season with injuries and their woes continued in recent weeks with Adnan Januzaj and Jan Kirchhoff ruled out of action.
Fabio Borini, Vito Mannone and Seb Larsson remain sidelined, with a further update on the likes of Lee Cattermole and Steve Pienaar coming up on Friday on safc.com.
Last time out
Sunderland 0-0 West Bromwich Albion
Sunderland struck late at the Stadium of Light as Patrick van Aanholt’s second goal of the season earned a share of the spoils against West Bromwich Albion.
The Black Cats made a bright start to proceedings on a crisp afternoon on Wearside, but after Jermain Defoe spurned a glorious chance early on the Baggies made them pay.
Belgium international Nacer Chadli scored the only goal of the opening period to complete an impressive counter attack, with the winger switching on the burners before burying a fine finish into the corner.
Sunderland regrouped following the break and worked tirelessly in the second period, and finally got their reward on 86 minutes as van Aanholt’s effort found the corner.
Manchester United 1-1 Stoke City
Stoke snatched a point at Manchester United as Joe Allen capitalised on a spill from David de Gea to punish the hosts' lax first-half finishing.
After a string of saves from Lee Grant before the break, United made the breakthrough when substitute Anthony Martial swept home a curling shot
It appeared to be a fatal blow to a Stoke side who had rarely threatened.
But when De Gea failed to hold Glen Johnson's shot and Jon Walters' follow-up came off the bar, Allen poked in.
Paul Pogba rattled the bar with a header as United mounted a late siege on the Stoke goal, but Mark Hughes' side clung on to the point that takes them off the bottom of the table.
Form (All competitions)
Stoke City: DLWLLLLDD
Sunderland: LLWDLLWLD
