Stoke and Norwich preview

A revitalised Norwich City make the visit to the Britannia Stadium with new manager, Peter Grant on Saturday and they will want to make their second trip to the Potteries in under four days happier than their first. Meanwhile the Potters will want to hit the winning ways again after their defeat at Southampton last weekend.

Tony Pulis is expecting goals. He watched Norwich's mid-week defeat at Vale Park and thinks he has identified some weakness in the Canaries that the Potters can hopefully take advantage of. He told the official site: 'I think there will be goals because they will look to counter-attack at speed when we have the ball'

Stoke are expecting Luke Chadwick and Mamade Sidibe to be back in contention after their recent injuries and Sidibe may partner Ricardo Fuller up front, if he is given the nod ahead of fellow striker, Vincent Pericard.

Simmo has to prove that last week's lapse in concentration which gifted Southampton the points was just a minor aberration on behalf on the normally reliable stopper. A clean sheet would be a great answer to his manager's post match comments.

Norwich have some injury worries after their penalties defeat in the Carling Cup at the hands of our neighbours, Port Vale. Robert Earnshaw is only rated '20/80 against' starting, whilst the other influential striker, Darren Huckerby is also doubtful. Keeper, Paul Gallacher is also struggling with a back injury.

If Earnshaw or Huckerby are deemed unfit, then this is likely to hand former Potters' favourite, Peter Thorne his first start of the season. Thorne left the Brit in 2001 for Cardiff as part of the Icelanders' attempts to balance the financial books.

A win for the Potters will make it 13 wins apiece out of a total of 38 league matches.

Tue 31st Oct: Leicester (away) Kick-off: 7:45pm
Mon 6th Nov: Coventry (home) Kick-off: 8pm (Sky TV)
Sat 11th Nov: Crystal Palace (away) Kick-off: 3pm

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