Stoke boss Tony Pullis is without the suspended Ryan Shawcross for the FA Cup tie with Chelsea and is sweating over Matt Etherington.
Shawcross starts the first of a three-match ban following his tackle on Aaron Ramsey last week that resulted in a double leg fracture for the Arsenal youngster.
Etherington has been out for the past three matches with a knee injury and he will be handed a late test by Pullis, who will also take a look at the fitness of Danny Higginbotham who has been missing with a back injury.