Stoke vs Sunderland

The Black Cats arrive at the Brit tonight for the first midweek fixture of the Premier League season. Roy Keane's team will be buoyed by the victory over arch rivals Newcastle at the weekend, but will not relish the intimidating atmosphere of a packed Brit.

Certainly, Tony Pulis hopes fans will generate even more noise after they were officially named 'the loudest in the Prem' last week. He told the official site: 'I don't know what it is but when you turn the lights off our lads seem to shout a little bit louder.

'They say it is going to be a cold night on Wednesday but hopefully it is going to be red hot on the pitch.

'Hopefully we can get stuck right in to Sunderland and give the supporters something to cheer about.'

Liam Lawrence looks unlikely to face his former club, but hopefully Rory Delap will be able to show his old team mates what they are missing by letting him join Stoke two years ago. Another, but more recent, Black Cat is Danny Higginbotham who rejoined Stoke earlier this season.

t will be interesting to see if the gaffer favours leaving Dave Kitson on the bench in favour of Mamady Sidibe or if he gives him another chance up front.

Ibrahima Sonko is still a doubt after missing the weekend game at Eastlands .

As the undisputed long throw king, Rory Delap will no doubt be keen to get one over on his old club.

Sunderland goalkeeper Craig Gordon has only a 50% chance of being fit for the game after missing Saturday's win over Newcastle with a twisted ankle.

Former Stoke loan player, Kenwyne Jones is in contention after making his comeback from four months out with a knee ligament injury

If he plays, Stoke fans will remember the striker as a youngster from his days on loan whilst at Southampton. He impressed many then and has gone on to do well on Wearside.

Saturday 1st November: Arsenal (home) kick-off: 3pm

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