Coventry City travel to The Brittania Stadium, looking to claw back some of the points they threw away at Derby County last weekend when they let a two goal lead slip.
Peter Reid who has been criticised by City supporters for failing to support the youth and reserve teams this season, has no new injury worries and is expected to field the same team that played against Derby and Crewe.
Stoke have three former City players on their books in Marcus Hall, Paul Williams and John Eustace but not are expected to play against the Sky Blues.
Coventry kid Hall who has put in a transfer request and defender Paul Williams both have ankle injuries whilst John Eustace who won the now defunct Association of Coventry City Supporters Clubs And Groups Young Player Of The Year Award during his time at Highfield Road is coming back from a groin injury which threatened his career.
Eustace has been out for eight months but came through a full reserve game last week. Stoke coach David Kemp told the CET: “John has taken a big step forward so it is a case of so far so good," he said. "It is a long haul, though, and he's had quite a nasty injury so it is important we don't rush him. "He's doing everything the medical staff are telling him to do and he is training every day now and things seem to be going well. Hopefully his body will tell him when it's ready to make that push for the first team.”
Also out for the Potters is Gerry Taggert, the Northern Irish defender is recovering from an ankle injury as is Dave Brammer who rejected Peter Reid during the summer. The £500,000 signing from Crewe is suspended after picking up five bookings.
Stoke won the corresponding fixture last season 1-0.
City supporters will be housed in the South Stand and tickets are priced at £19 for adults. The club also has some car parking passes available for a fiver. Blue Badge holders are of course exempt.
The Brittania Stadium can be found by M6 junction 15. Follow A500 to Stoke On Trent. At first exit take the A34 and follow signs for Trentham. At the next roundabout,turn left onto Trentham Road (A5035) and carry on until you reach the junction with traffic lights which sits on the southern entrance to Stanley Matthews Way for the ground.
Train station 1.5 miles
On Saturday morning, local pride will be at stake as City’s U18 travel to Leicester. Having lost to Watford twice in the last week, Steve Ogrizovic will be looking for his side to bounce back.
Meanwhile on Sunday, Coventry City Ladies take on Manchester City at Coventry Sphinx FC (2pm) in a WPL Northern Division tie. City currently like third from bottom in table some six points ahead of The Citizens who prop up the table. Coventry manager Mark Phillips is reported to have players lined up to come in, but they will not be available for this game or the Birmingham County FA Cup tie at home to Rugby Town on December 19th.
City Reserves who have complained to the FA following their abandonment of their Division 2 North game at Doncaster Rovers Belles last weekend, face Lincoln City at Coventry University’s Westwood Heath ground.
On Monday, Coventry City Reserves make the trek up the A14 to play Norwich City at Carrow Road in their final reserve game of 2004. Andy Whing will definitely be out after the popular defender had a hernia operation. City beat the Canaries 3-1 at Highfield Road earlier in the season and former Sky Blue Youseff Safri who played in that game could feature again.