Tony Pulis has left nine senior first team players at home but insists the side that faces Valencia tonight will be a strong one.
Stoke go into the Europa League clash trailing the Spanish side 1-0 from the first-leg at the Britannia Stadium and you could not be blamed for thinking Pulis has given up on the tie when looking at the players he has left behind.
Peter Crouch, Jon Walters, Ryan Shawcross, Marc Wilson, Matthew Etherington, Matthew Upson, Dean Whitehead, Glenn Whelan and Andy Wilkinson have not traveled but Pulis has defended his decision.
"I'm quite happy with what I have brought over," Pulis revealed in his pre-match press conference.
"It will be a strong starting XI. I've got a back four and everyone is a full international, plus the goalkeeper.
"I've got three midfield players who are full internationals, two out of three forwards who are internationals, I've got a captain who has played for his country.
"It's not a weak team."
Robert Huth, who is serving a three-match ban in domestic football, is set to start and should be partnered in central defence by Jonathan Woodgate.