Preview: Derby vs Stoke

by Kieran O'Daly , 27 January 2012

Stoke boss Tony Pulis has the luxury of an almost fully-fit squad to choose from for his side's FA Cup fourth-round tie against Derby at Pride Park.


Mamady Sidibe, a long term absentee with a knee injury, is the only player who will not be available for the Potters now that defender Andy Wilkinson and winger Ryan Shotton have recovered from their recent injury problems.

After making six changes for the 3-1 third-round victory at Gillingham, Pulis says he will pick a "strong" team for the Pride Park encounter.

Rams boss Nigel Clough had hoped to be able to give on-loan striker Ryan Noble his first start since rejoining the club, but parent club Sunderland have refused him permission to play as they do not want him cup-tied.

Clough was keen for Noble to feature as leading scorer Theo Robinson is an injury doubt and Steven Davies is still not ready to start a full game, having only recently resumed action for the reserves after three months out with a skull fracture.

"After such a long time out, I'm not quite sure Steve is ready yet. He didn't head it too many times in his last game on Tuesday night and the one time he did head it, his protective mask broke and he had to come off," Clough said.

Rams midfielder James Bailey did train this week and may be fit enough to play. Bailey felt unwell and was replaced by the fit-again Jeff Hendrick in last weekend's match at Burnley.

Teams:

Stoke (from): Sorensen, Begovic, Wilkinson, Huth, Shawcross, Wilson, Pennant, Delap, Palacios, Etherington, Crouch, Walters, Shotton, Upson, Diao, Jones, Whitehead, Whelan, Woodgate, Fuller, Higginbotham, Jerome.

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Pos
Team P W D L +/- PTS
1.
Man City
38
28
5
5
64
89
2.
Man Utd
38
28
5
5
56
89
3.
Arsenal
38
21
7
10
25
70
4.
Tottenham
38
20
9
9
25
69
5.
Newcastle
38
19
8
11
5
65
6.
Chelsea
38
18
10
10
19
64
7.
Everton
38
15
11
12
10
56
8.
Liverpool
38
14
10
14
7
52
9.
Fulham
38
14
10
14
-3
52
10.
West Brom
38
13
8
17
-7
47
11.
Swansea
38
12
11
15
-7
47
12.
Norwich
38
12
11
15
-14
47
13.
Sunderland
38
11
12
15
-1
45
14.
Stoke
38
11
12
15
-17
45
15.
Wigan
38
11
10
17
-20
43
16.
Aston Villa
38
7
17
14
-16
38
17.
QPR
38
10
7
21
-23
37
18.
Bolton
38
10
6
22
-31
36
19.
Blackburn
38
8
7
23
-30
31
20.
Wolverhampton
38
5
10
23
-43
25
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